Papillary Bleeding Index

In 1977, Muhlemann developed papillary bleeding index (PBI). Gentle probing of the interdental
papilla is done to assess the bleeding.

Method: This is performed by sweeping the papillary sulcus on the mesial and distal aspects with a
periodontal probe. Right maxillary and left mandibular quadrants probed lingually and the left
maxillary and right mandibular quadrants probed buccally. On the mesial and distal aspects of the
same papilla, the blunt periodontal probe is inserted into the gingival sulcus at the base of the
papilla and then moved coronally to the papilla tip. The intensity of bleeding was recorded on a scale
of 0-4.

Scoring criteria: Assessment of gingival bleeding is done by PBI using

Calculation: