In all my 66+ years of going to the dentist I never had any problem with a doctor taking pockets measurements, but I believe the doctor was trying to prove his point that I needed Novocain for a deep cleaning after I told him I don't use Novocain. So why do I think this you might ask. Because when he was done trying to hurt me by sticking that tool in my pockets forcefully he turned to me and said "So you mean to tell me THAT Didn?t HURT" ? Very unprofessional and that was my first and last visit....( 0 )stars. I have only had Novocain for two root canals in the last 30 years.