DMD DMD Oral Surgery and Periodontics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which periodontal probe reading indicates pathological pocketing in a healthy adult?
- Greater than 3 mm (Correct answer)
- Greater than 5 mm
- Greater than 1 mm
- Greater than 7 mm
Correct answer: Greater than 3 mm
Probing depths greater than 3 mm are generally considered pathological, as healthy sulcus depth is 1–3 mm.
Question 2: Which local factor is most strongly associated with the initiation of periodontal disease?
- Dental plaque (biofilm) (Correct answer)
- Tobacco use
- Malocclusion
- Diabetes mellitus
Correct answer: Dental plaque (biofilm)
Dental plaque biofilm is the primary initiating factor of periodontal disease, triggering the host inflammatory response.
Question 3: In the AAP/EFP 2017 periodontal classification, which stage indicates tooth loss due to periodontitis?
- Stage IV (Correct answer)
- Stage III
- Stage II
- Stage I
Correct answer: Stage IV
Stage IV periodontitis includes complexity factors such as tooth loss attributable to periodontitis and masticatory dysfunction.
Question 4: What does a positive bleeding on probing (BOP) primarily indicate?
- Active gingival inflammation (Correct answer)
- Bone loss
- Furcation involvement
- Gingival recession
Correct answer: Active gingival inflammation
Bleeding on probing is a reliable indicator of active gingival inflammation due to increased vascularity and ulceration of the sulcular epithelium.
Question 5: Which systemic condition is most bidirectionally linked to periodontal disease?
- Diabetes mellitus (Correct answer)
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- Hypothyroidism
Correct answer: Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus has a well-established bidirectional relationship with periodontitis — poor glycemic control worsens periodontitis, and untreated periodontitis worsens glycemic control.
Question 6: Which antibiotic is most commonly used as an adjunct in the treatment of aggressive periodontitis?
- Metronidazole plus amoxicillin (Correct answer)
- Clindamycin alone
- Tetracycline alone
- Ciprofloxacin alone
Correct answer: Metronidazole plus amoxicillin
The combination of metronidazole and amoxicillin provides synergistic coverage against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and is a recommended adjunct for aggressive periodontitis.
DMD DMD Oral Surgery and Periodontics 2
Which periodontal probe reading indicates pathological pocketing in a healthy adult?