CPT Supportive Periodontal Therapy & Maintenance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended recall interval for most patients in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT)?
- Every 3 months (Correct answer)
- Every 6 months
- Every 12 months
- Every 18 months
Correct answer: Every 3 months
Three-month intervals are standard for most SPT patients because periodontal pathogens recolonize subgingival sites within approximately 9–12 weeks after debridement.
Question 2: Which factor has the GREATEST influence on preventing recurrence of periodontitis during SPT?
- Patient compliance with recall appointments (Correct answer)
- The type of periodontal instruments used during active therapy
- Number of teeth extracted prior to SPT
- Age of the patient at diagnosis
Correct answer: Patient compliance with recall appointments
Patient compliance with regular SPT visits is the single most important determinant of long-term periodontal stability and prevention of disease recurrence.
Question 3: During an SPT appointment, which assessment is typically performed FIRST?
- Medical and dental history update (Correct answer)
- Full-mouth periodontal probing
- Radiographic evaluation
- Subgingival debridement
Correct answer: Medical and dental history update
Updating the medical and dental history is performed first to identify any systemic or medication changes that may affect treatment planning.
Question 4: In SPT, 'disease reactivation' is defined as:
- Increased probing depths, attachment loss, or bone loss compared to post-treatment baseline (Correct answer)
- Patient complaint of tooth sensitivity between visits
- An increase in plaque score without clinical attachment change
- Development of a new systemic condition unrelated to oral health
Correct answer: Increased probing depths, attachment loss, or bone loss compared to post-treatment baseline
Disease reactivation refers to objective clinical evidence of ongoing periodontal destruction, including increased probing depth, attachment loss, or radiographic bone loss.
Question 5: Which index is most commonly used to assess plaque control during SPT visits?
- O'Leary Plaque Control Record (Correct answer)
- Gingival Index (GI)
- Periodontal Screening Record (PSR)
- Community Periodontal Index (CPI)
Correct answer: O'Leary Plaque Control Record
The O'Leary Plaque Control Record quantifies plaque presence as a percentage of surfaces, making it useful for patient motivation and tracking improvement during SPT.
Question 6: A patient in SPT shows a 2mm increase in probing depths at multiple sites at their 3-month recall. What is the MOST appropriate next step?
- Re-evaluate for additional active periodontal therapy or referral to a periodontist (Correct answer)
- Increase SPT frequency to monthly intervals as the only change
- Prescribe systemic antibiotics without further clinical assessment
- Continue the current 3-month SPT interval without modification
Correct answer: Re-evaluate for additional active periodontal therapy or referral to a periodontist
A 2mm increase at multiple sites signals disease reactivation, warranting re-evaluation for retreatment or specialist referral to determine if surgical intervention is indicated.
Question 7: How does supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) differ from a routine dental prophylaxis?
- SPT includes comprehensive periodontal assessment and targeted subgingival debridement for previously treated patients, while prophylaxis is preventive cleaning for periodontally healthy patients (Correct answer)
- SPT uses different ultrasonic tips but is otherwise identical to prophylaxis
- Prophylaxis includes full periodontal probing while SPT does not
- SPT is exclusively performed by periodontists and cannot be delegated to dental hygienists
Correct answer: SPT includes comprehensive periodontal assessment and targeted subgingival debridement for previously treated patients, while prophylaxis is preventive cleaning for periodontally healthy patients
SPT is a therapeutic maintenance procedure for periodontitis patients that includes full periodontal re-evaluation and subgingival debridement, distinguishing it from a preventive prophylaxis for healthy patients.
CPT Supportive Periodontal Therapy & Maintenance 1
What is the recommended recall interval for most patients in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT)?