Supportive Periodontal Therapy & Maintenance Flashcards
7 cards from real CPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Supportive Periodontal Therapy & Maintenance flashcards as text
What is the PRIMARY goal of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT)?
Answer: To maintain the clinical results of active therapy and prevent disease recurrence
The primary goal of SPT is to preserve the clinical improvements achieved during active periodontal therapy and prevent reactivation of the disease.
Which systemic condition most commonly necessitates more frequent SPT recall intervals?
Answer: Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
Poorly controlled diabetes impairs immune function and wound healing, significantly increasing susceptibility to periodontal recurrence and requiring shorter SPT recall intervals.
During an SPT visit, bleeding on probing (BOP) is found at 30% of sites. This finding most likely indicates:
Answer: Active gingival inflammation requiring reinforced oral hygiene instruction and possible interval adjustment
BOP above 10% of sites indicates persistent gingival inflammation and signals the need for improved oral hygiene instruction and consideration of shorter recall intervals.
Which bacteria are MOST strongly associated with recurrent periodontitis during SPT?
Answer: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia
P. gingivalis and T. forsythia are key members of the 'red complex' and are the primary pathogens driving periodontitis progression and recurrence during SPT.
What is the MOST effective method to detect bone level changes over time during SPT?
Answer: Sequential standardized periapical radiographs compared to post-treatment baseline images
Standardized periapical radiographs taken with the paralleling technique allow accurate comparison to baseline images to detect subtle interproximal bone changes over time.
A compliant SPT patient with well-controlled type 2 diabetes has residual pocket depths of 4–5mm. What is the most appropriate recall interval?
Answer: Every 3 months
Residual pocketing of 4–5mm combined with a systemic risk factor (diabetes) warrants the standard 3-month SPT interval to monitor for disease reactivation.
Which factor is considered the STRONGEST site-specific predictor of future attachment loss during SPT?
Answer: Presence of residual pockets ≥6mm after active therapy
Residual pockets of 6mm or deeper are the strongest site-specific predictor of continued attachment loss because they harbor high levels of periodontal pathogens.