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h, pink, knife-edged, streamlined and firm, any departure from which could indicate pathology.
     6. Pocket measurement should be carried out on each tooth and recorded. Ideally, true mesial, distal, facial and lingual measurements are required, but this is possible only where teeth are missing, so that unimpeded access to these surfaces is possible. Where proximal teeth are present, measurement is made at the line angles, and on facial and lingual surfaces. Taking six readings on each tooth is ideal but may be very time consuming, and if diagnosis is made at a reasonably early stage in periodontal breakdown, only one or two measurements made at the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual line angles may be sufficient. Where there appears to be furcation involvement of molars, or drifting of incisors, facial and lingual measurements on these teeth are essential.
     A pocket-measuring probe must be fine enough to enter a narrow pocket, but must have a blunt end so that the tissue is not perforated. The sharp-ended probe used for the detection of caries should not be used. The pocket-measuring probe must be inserted into the pocket, as near parallel to the axis of the tooth as possible; if inserted obliquely, a false reading will be obtained.
     Great care has to be taken to manipulate the probe so that the true depth of the pocket is recorded. Delicate handling of the probe mast is employed to negotiate subgingival deposits without impacting against the root surface. Vigorous probing is not only painful but also likely to give an inaccurate reading; even gentle probing of inflamed gingivae can be painful. The problems of pocket measurement can be demonstrated by the fact that pocket measurement after local anaesthesia usually gives greater readings than in the unanaesthetized tissue.
     Gutta-percha or silver points, which may be calibrated, may be left in situ during radiographic examination of suspected infrabony pockets.
     In addition to recording pocket depth, it is important to assess the clinical attachment level (amelocemental junction, CEJ). Where there is considerable gingival hyperplasia pocketing may be fairly deep; say 5-7mm, but attachment loss may be small or nil. Where there has been considerable gingival recession, a shallow pocket may be associated with considerable destruction of the periodontal tissues. Therefore, in order to interpret pocket measurement, one must also note (a) the position of the gingival margins on the tooth surface, and (b) the position of the alveolar crest as seen on the radiograph.
     7. Radiographic examination will demonstrate the position of the alveolar margin and the condition of the alveolar bone. In a child or adolescent, radiographic examination may not be essential but if any doubt exists about the integrity of the alveolar margin, bitewing films of posterior teeth and periapical films of the incisors should provide adequate information. If there is evidence of established bone loss, further radiographic examination can then be undertaken.
     In the adult, full mouth examination may be necessary. The long-cone paralleling technique provides the most reliable radiographic evidence. The bisecting angle technique is more likely to give a distorted picture of the relationship of the alveolar margin to the CEJ. Vertical bite