Periodontal probes/Markers

Periodontal Probes — UNC-15, Williams, WHO/CPI, Nabers Furcation & Pressure-Sensitive Probes

Periodontal probes are calibrated millimetre-marked hand instruments used during the periodontal exam to measure pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), recession and furcation involvement at six sites per tooth. Each pattern carries a defined marking system — UNC-15 (continuous 1-15 mm) for modern documentation, Williams (1-3-5-7-8-9-10 mm gaps) for traditional charting, ball-tipped WHO probes for CPITN community screening, curved Nabers probes for multi-rooted furcation defects, and constant-force pressure-sensitive probes for research-grade attachment-level measurement.

Types of Periodontal Probes

UNC-15 Periodontal Probes — Continuous 1-15 mm Calibration

The University of North Carolina probe carries continuous millimetre markings 1-15 mm with colour-band emphasis at 4-5 mm and 9-10 mm — the modern standard for periodontal pocket charting and longitudinal CAL tracking. Example product: GDC UNC-15 Periodontal Probe (PCPUNC15); Waldent UNC-15 and GDC PCPUNC15-W6 Premium (UNC-15 + Williams combination) extend the family.

Williams Probes — Traditional 1-3-5-7-8-9-10 mm Marking

Traditional Williams probe carries the 1-3-5-7-8-9-10 mm marking pattern with a 4 mm gap to reduce visual confusion during fast chair-side charting — preferred by clinicians trained on the original Glickman protocol. Example product: GDC Goldman-Fox/Williams Probe (PCPGF/W6); Thin William (POW6, PCPQOW-11.5B) and Waldent Goldman-Fox Williams (15/735) variants stocked.

WHO / CPI Screening Probes — CPITN Community & Hygiene Screening

WHO probes (also called CPI probes) carry a 0.5 mm ball tip and a black-banded calibration zone at 3.5-5.5 mm — designed specifically for the WHO Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) sextant screening protocol. The ball tip prevents tissue trauma during light-pressure probing. Example product: GDC WHO Screening Probe (PCP11.5B); Hahnenkratt Ref 5010 delivers a premium German-engineered alternative.

Nabers Furcation Probes — Multi-Rooted Tooth Furcation Classification

Curved-tip Nabers probes negotiate the angular access into multi-rooted tooth furcation defects and measure horizontal furcation involvement (Glickman or Hamp classification) for treatment planning. Standard straight probes cannot reach the furcation entrance. Example product: GDC Nabers Furcation Probe Colour Coded (PQ2N); double-ended for both mesial and distal furcation access.

Pressure-Sensitive Probes — Constant-Force Probing for CAL Accuracy

Pressure-sensitive probes deliver a constant 25 g probing force regardless of operator hand pressure — eliminating the inter-operator variability that confounds longitudinal CAL measurement in periodontal research and severe-case monitoring. Example product: GDC Periodontal Pressure-Sensitive Probe.

Premium Imported Probes — Hahnenkratt & Waldent CNC

For clinicians who prefer imported tip-precision construction, Hahnenkratt (Germany) and Waldent CNC-crafted tips deliver tighter calibration tolerances and longer-life marking durability. Example product: Hahnenkratt WHO Probe (Ref 5010); Waldent Probe with CNC-Crafted Tips also stocked.

When are periodontal probes used?

Periodontal probes are used at every periodontal exam to measure pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing, recession and furcation involvement at six sites per tooth — the foundation data for periodontal diagnosis, classification and treatment planning.

• Comprehensive periodontal exam (six-site pocket depth and BOP recording)
• Longitudinal CAL tracking at periodontal recall appointments
• CPITN community periodontal screening (WHO probe sextant protocol)
• Furcation involvement classification on multi-rooted teeth (Nabers)
• Periodontal research and clinical trial CAL documentation (pressure-sensitive)
• Pre-surgical pocket re-evaluation before flap or regenerative surgery

How to choose the right periodontal probe

1. Calibration system — UNC-15 continuous markings for modern protocols and longitudinal CAL tracking; Williams 1-3-5-7-8-9-10 mm pattern for traditional charting workflows.
2. Tip design — Standard slim tip for routine pocket measurement; ball-tipped WHO probe for community screening (atraumatic); curved Nabers tip for furcation defects.
3. Probing force — Manual hand probes for routine exam; pressure-sensitive constant-force probes (25 g) for research-grade accuracy and severe periodontitis monitoring.
4. Single vs double-ended — Single-end for single-pattern preference; double-ended combinations (UNC-15 + screening, CP12 + Thin William, Goldman-Fox + Williams) reduce instrument switching during the exam.
5. Marking durability — Standard etched markings suit routine use; Hahnenkratt and Waldent CNC-crafted tips hold the markings longer through repeated autoclave cycles.
6. Set vs individual — Single probes for specific pattern replacement; complete kits (Waldent Periodontal Kit Set of 15) for new operatory setup covering exam, scaling and surgical patterns together.

Periodontal probe brands available on Dentalkart

Periodontal probes at Dentalkart cover five trusted brands — GDC (broadest range covering UNC-15, Williams, Goldman-Fox/Williams, Thin William, WHO/CPI screening, Marquis color-coded, CP12, Nabers furcation single and double-ended, plus the pressure-sensitive probe), Hahnenkratt (premium German-engineered WHO Probe Ref 5010), Waldent (UNC-15, Goldman-Fox/Williams 15/735, CNC-crafted tip probes, complete Periodontal Kit Set of 15), API (Periodontal Probes) and Oracraft (Periodontal Probes).

Why buy periodontal probes from Dentalkart

Every periodontal probe ships 100% genuine, sourced directly from the manufacturer or authorised Indian distributor. Dentalkart's 10-day replacement policy covers manufacturing defects; nationwide delivery reaches every Indian pincode within 24–48 hours from temperature-controlled storage. Reach our dental product specialists by chat or call for probe pattern selection advice. Trusted by 50,000+ dentists across 110000+ Indian pincodes.

What is the difference between a UNC-15 and a Williams periodontal probe?

A UNC-15 periodontal probe carries continuous 1-15 mm markings with colour bands at 4-5 mm and 9-10 mm — the modern standard for longitudinal CAL tracking. A Williams probe carries traditional 1-3-5-7-8-9-10 mm markings with a 4 mm gap to reduce visual confusion during fast chair-side charting. Both deliver accurate pocket measurement; the choice is operator and protocol preference.

What is a WHO probe used for?

A WHO probe (CPI probe) is used for the WHO-recommended Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) sextant screening protocol — a rapid periodontal screening for community health programs and high-volume hygiene visits. The 0.5 mm ball tip prevents tissue trauma during light-pressure probing; the black-banded calibration zone gives rapid visual readout of pocket depth.

When do I need a pressure-sensitive periodontal probe?

You need a pressure-sensitive periodontal probe when probing force consistency is critical — periodontal research studies, longitudinal CAL monitoring in severe periodontitis cases, and clinical trials where inter-operator force variability would confound the data. Constant 25 g probing force eliminates the over-pressure variability typical with manual hand probes.

What is a Nabers furcation probe?

A Nabers furcation probe is a curved-tip periodontal probe designed for classifying horizontal furcation involvement on multi-rooted teeth — the Glickman or Hamp classification (Class I, II, III) at the maxillary first molar trifurcation and mandibular first molar bifurcation. Standard straight probes cannot negotiate the angular furcation entrance; the Nabers curve does.

Are the periodontal probes on Dentalkart genuine?

Yes — every periodontal probe on Dentalkart is 100% genuine, sourced directly from the manufacturer or authorised Indian distributor. GDC, Hahnenkratt, Waldent, API and Oracraft ship in original brand packaging with manufacturer batch identifiers. Quality is verified at receiving against the manufacturer's published specifications before being released for dispatch.