Sulcus Bleeding Index
Also written as: SBI — Sulcus Bleeding Index
A clinical index (SBI) used in dental research to quantify gingival inflammation by recording the presence or absence of bleeding within the gingival sulcus following gentle probing.
Full Definition
The Sulcus Bleeding Index, developed by Mühlemann and Son (1971), assesses gingival health by probing the sulcular epithelium and recording bleeding response on a 0–5 ordinal scale. It is a more granular measure than simple 'bleeding on probing' dichotomous scoring, providing information on sulcular wall condition and early gingivitis. In editorial contexts, the abbreviation SBI must be defined at first use; editors should also watch for confusion with the Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), which uses a different methodology. Research papers frequently report SBI scores as primary or secondary outcome measures in clinical trials of oral hygiene interventions.
Usage
Usage note: Always expand SBI at first mention. Do not substitute 'Sulcus Bleeding Index' with 'Gingival Index' or 'Bleeding on Probing'; these are distinct clinical measures.
In Context
- "Mean Sulcus Bleeding Index scores decreased significantly in the test group at the 12-week assessment point (p < 0.01)." — Results section of a periodontal clinical trial
- "The authors employed the Sulcus Bleeding Index rather than a dichotomous BOP measure to capture gradations of gingival inflammation." — Methods section of a dental research manuscript