How many sites per tooth are probed during PSR?

How many sites per tooth are probed during PSR?

• A. Two
• B. Eight
• C. Six
• D. Four

Answer: (C)

In PSR, each tooth is probed at six sites to capture pocket depths around all surfaces. These six locations are three on the buccal side (mesiobuccal, mid-buccal, distobuccal) and three on the lingual side (mesiolingual, mid-lingual, distolingual). Probing at multiple sites per tooth is essential because periodontal conditions can vary around a tooth, with deeper pockets sometimes present on one aspect but not another. Although PSR uses a WHO probe and records the deepest reading for each sextant during screening, the number of sites assessed per tooth remains six.

In PSR, each tooth is probed at six sites to capture pocket depths around all surfaces. These six locations are three on the buccal side (mesiobuccal, mid-buccal, distobuccal) and three on the lingual side (mesiolingual, mid-lingual, distolingual). Probing at multiple sites per tooth is essential because periodontal conditions can vary around a tooth, with deeper pockets sometimes present on one aspect but not another. Although PSR uses a WHO probe and records the deepest reading for each sextant during screening, the number of sites assessed per tooth remains six.