ABP Evaluations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of calculating full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) during a periodontal evaluation?
- To quantify plaque biofilm accumulation
- To assess gingival inflammation and treatment response (Correct answer)
- To determine the need for antibiotic therapy
- To classify furcation involvement severity
Correct answer: To assess gingival inflammation and treatment response
FMBS reflects the prevalence of gingival inflammation across all sites and is used to monitor treatment response and patient compliance.
Question 2: During evaluation of a patient for implant placement, which assessment finding most significantly increases the risk of peri-implantitis?
- Presence of a single tooth gap in the posterior quadrant
- History of treated periodontitis with residual pockets ≥6 mm (Correct answer)
- Parafunctional habits without occlusal appliance use
- Radiographic evidence of sinus pneumatization
Correct answer: History of treated periodontitis with residual pockets ≥6 mm
A history of periodontitis, particularly with residual pockets, is the strongest risk factor for peri-implantitis due to shared bacterial reservoirs and host susceptibility.
Question 3: A clinician detects a 3-wall intrabony defect of 5 mm depth at tooth #30 mesial during re-evaluation post-SRP. What is the most appropriate next step?
- Continue maintenance and re-evaluate in 3 months
- Extract the tooth due to poor prognosis
- Refer for regenerative surgical therapy (Correct answer)
- Prescribe systemic doxycycline for 3 months
Correct answer: Refer for regenerative surgical therapy
A 3-wall intrabony defect of 5 mm is an excellent candidate for guided tissue regeneration or bone grafting to restore lost periodontium.
Question 4: Which measurement method provides the most accurate quantification of clinical attachment level (CAL)?
- Distance from the gingival margin to the base of the pocket only
- Distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the sulcus/pocket (Correct answer)
- Distance from the mucogingival junction to the alveolar crest
- Distance from the cusp tip to the base of the pocket
Correct answer: Distance from the cementoenamel junction to the base of the sulcus/pocket
CAL is measured from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the base of the periodontal pocket, reflecting true attachment loss independent of gingival margin position.
Question 5: When evaluating a patient for mucogingival surgery, what minimum width of keratinized tissue (KT) is generally considered sufficient to maintain periodontal health without surgery?
- 1 mm of KT with 0.5 mm attached gingiva
- 2 mm of KT with 1 mm attached gingiva
- 3 mm of KT with 2 mm attached gingiva
- Any width if oral hygiene is adequate (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Any width if oral hygiene is adequate
Current evidence supports that adequate oral hygiene, not a specific minimum width of keratinized tissue, is the primary determinant of periodontal health at a site.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes a positive architecture in periodontal osseous evaluation?
- Interproximal bone is more coronal than facial and lingual bone (Correct answer)
- Facial and lingual bone is more coronal than interproximal bone
- Bone levels are equal circumferentially around each tooth
- Reverse architecture with facial bone defects
Correct answer: Interproximal bone is more coronal than facial and lingual bone
Positive (physiologic) osseous architecture means interproximal bone is coronal to facial and lingual bone, reflecting the natural scalloped contour.
Question 7: A 45-year-old non-smoker presents with rapid periodontal destruction affecting first molars and incisors. Bone loss is 60% at these sites, while other teeth are minimally affected. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?
- Generalized Stage IV periodontitis Grade C
- Localized Stage III periodontitis Grade C (molar-incisor pattern) (Correct answer)
- Generalized Stage III periodontitis Grade B
- Localized Stage II periodontitis Grade A
Correct answer: Localized Stage III periodontitis Grade C (molar-incisor pattern)
Molar-incisor pattern localized involvement with rapid bone loss in a non-smoker without systemic disease is characteristic of localized Stage III Grade C periodontitis.
ABP Evaluations 3
What is the primary purpose of calculating full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) during a periodontal evaluation?