A method of assessing the quality of periodontal tissue using a dental device having a flat laminar body with a visual indicator thereon. The visual indicator includes a color zone having a color. The method includes positioning the flat laminar body of the dental device under the periodontal tissue in a gap existing between a tooth and a portion of the periodontal tissue covering a neck portion of the tooth; observing the periodontal tissue underneath which the body has been positioned; and determining to what the degree the color of the color zone is apparent through the periodontal tissue.