Is it possible for dentists to detect periodontitis from initial exam and x rays?

Yes: Periodontitis is most often a slow and chronic condition. Ideally you need 2 appointments to determine whether periodontitis is in fact progressing over time or whether the bone loss is an arrested remnant of periodontitis from a previous time. More practically, it is usually easy to tell if there is active chronic periodontal infection on the first exam. The 2nd visit just confirms what we know.

Yes: A clinical exam and a current set of quality digital x rays of all your teeth would be enough to diagnose periodontal disease.

Dental Exam: A well trained licenses dentist should. Initial comprehensive exam includes the following: review health history and dental history, document all existing restorations, full radiographic evaluation for cavities, bone level or other pathology, visual examination for cavities, oral cancer and gums. Also full measurement of periodontal pocket depth. This last will determine if you have gum problems.

Yes: A comprehensive periodontal evaluation and a full mouth radiographic series are recommended to properly diagnose periodontitis.