Periodontics Flashcards
7 cards from real NBDE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Periodontics flashcards as text
Periodontal maintenance therapy (supportive periodontal therapy) intervals are typically set at every 3 months because:
Answer: Subgingival microbiota recolonize to pre-treatment levels in approximately 9–11 weeks
Studies show subgingival microbiota recover to pathogenic composition in roughly 9–11 weeks, making 3-month intervals clinically justified.
Which of the following best characterizes plaque-induced gingival disease modified by medication?
Answer: Inflammatory overgrowth exacerbated by calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, or cyclosporine
Drug-influenced gingival enlargement is a well-documented adverse effect of calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, and cyclosporine, superimposed on pre-existing plaque-induced inflammation.
The 'red complex' bacteria most strongly associated with severe chronic periodontitis includes:
Answer: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola
Socransky's red complex—P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola—are most strongly associated with deep pockets and severe periodontal destruction.
A 5 mm infrabony defect is treated with an open-flap debridement alone. The most likely type of healing is:
Answer: Long junctional epithelium repair
Without a membrane or graft, healing occurs predominantly by long junctional epithelium formation (repair), not true regeneration.
Tetracycline is used as an adjunct in aggressive periodontitis primarily because it:
Answer: Achieves GCF concentrations 2–10× higher than serum and inhibits Aa
Tetracycline concentrates in gingival crevicular fluid at levels far exceeding serum, making it effective against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in aggressive periodontitis.
Which type of alveolar bone defect is classified as a 'crater'?
Answer: A two-wall infrabony defect with facial and lingual walls remaining
An interproximal crater is a two-wall infrabony defect with the facial and lingual bony walls intact but the interproximal septum lost.
Widman flap surgery (modified Widman flap) differs from resective osseous surgery in that it:
Answer: Removes pocket epithelium and provides access for root debridement without deliberate bone removal
The modified Widman flap excises pocket epithelium and provides access for thorough root debridement but does not intentionally resect bone.