CPT Supportive Periodontal Therapy & Maintenance 3

Question 1

Approximately what percentage of SPT patients experience recurrence of periodontitis despite regular maintenance visits?

Accepted Answer

20–30%

Answer

Research indicates approximately 20–30% of SPT patients experience some degree of disease recurrence even with regular recall, underscoring the importance of ongoing risk assessment.

Question 2

Which approach to subgingival debridement is MOST effective during SPT maintenance visits for residual pockets?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasonic instrumentation combined with hand scaling

Answer

Combining ultrasonic instrumentation with hand scaling provides the most thorough removal of biofilm and calculus from residual pockets, as each modality accesses areas the other may miss.

Question 3

A patient at their 4-month SPT visit presents with localized reactivation at two posterior sites with 6mm pocketing and 2mm attachment loss. What is the BEST course of action?

Accepted Answer

Provide site-specific retreatment and refer to a periodontist to evaluate for surgical intervention

Answer

Localized reactivation with 6mm pocketing and attachment loss requires targeted retreatment and periodontist consultation to determine if surgical therapy is indicated.

Question 4

How does tobacco smoking most significantly affect outcomes in supportive periodontal therapy?

Accepted Answer

Smoking masks bleeding on probing and impairs immune response, increasing recurrence risk despite apparent clinical stability

Answer

Nicotine-induced vasoconstriction suppresses gingival bleeding (masking active disease), while smoking impairs neutrophil function and tissue healing, worsening SPT prognosis.

Question 5

Which interdental cleaning aid is MOST effective for SPT patients with open embrasures (type III papilla)?

Accepted Answer

Interdental brush sized to fit the embrasure

Answer

Interdental brushes are most effective for open embrasures because they conform to wider interproximal concavities and remove biofilm from root surfaces where the papilla is absent or reduced.

CPT - Certified Periodontal Therapist Practice Test

CPT - Certified Periodontal Therapist Practice Test

CPT Supportive Periodontal Therapy & Maintenance 3