The mesial papillae of all teeth present from the second molar to the lateral incisor were
assessed. Indices were derived for the maxillary left and mandibular right buccal segments,
and the maxillary right and mandibular left lingual segments, and from these a full-mouth
index was calculated. This distribution of test sites was utilized since each mesial papilla
could only be tested once, i.e. from either the buccal or lingual side. They showed that the
modified PBI may be more sensitive than the visual aspects of the GI in assessing changes in
gingival health.