NBDHE NBDHE Periodontal Assessment and Treatment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents with 5-6 mm probing depths, bleeding on probing, and radiographic bone loss of 15-25%. Which AAP classification does this represent?
- Stage I, Grade A
- Stage II, Grade B (Correct answer)
- Stage III, Grade C
- Stage IV, Grade B
Correct answer: Stage II, Grade B
Stage II periodontitis is characterized by probing depths of 5-6 mm and radiographic bone loss of 15-33% with moderate complexity factors.
Question 2: Which instrument is best suited for removing calculus from the furcation area of a mandibular first molar?
- Columbia 13/14 curette
- Gracey 11/12 curette
- Nabers probe
- Langer 1/2 curette (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Langer 1/2 curette
The Langer 1/2 curette is specifically designed for furcation debridement on posterior teeth and adapts well to furcation areas.
Question 3: What does the term 'clinical attachment level' (CAL) measure?
- Distance from the gingival margin to the base of the sulcus
- Distance from the CEJ to the base of the periodontal pocket (Correct answer)
- Distance from the alveolar crest to the base of the pocket
- Distance from the mucogingival junction to the gingival margin
Correct answer: Distance from the CEJ to the base of the periodontal pocket
CAL is measured from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the base of the periodontal pocket, reflecting true attachment loss.
Question 4: A patient has gingival recession of 2 mm and a probing depth of 4 mm. What is the clinical attachment level?
- 2 mm
- 4 mm
- 6 mm (Correct answer)
- 8 mm
Correct answer: 6 mm
When recession is present, CAL = probing depth + recession (4 mm + 2 mm = 6 mm).
Question 5: Which systemic condition is most strongly associated with increased susceptibility to periodontitis and impaired healing?
- Hypothyroidism
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (Correct answer)
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Hypertension
Correct answer: Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus
Uncontrolled diabetes impairs neutrophil function and wound healing, significantly increasing susceptibility to and severity of periodontitis.
Question 6: Which type of bone defect has the best prognosis for regeneration with guided tissue regeneration (GTR)?
- Horizontal bone loss
- One-wall vertical defect
- Three-wall vertical (intrabony) defect (Correct answer)
- Class III furcation involvement
Correct answer: Three-wall vertical (intrabony) defect
Three-wall intrabony defects have the best regenerative prognosis because three bony walls provide support and blood supply for the regenerative membrane.
Question 7: A patient undergoing periodontal maintenance returns every 3 months. Which of the following best describes the goal of this interval?
- Allow complete recolonization of subgingival flora before disruption
- Disrupt subgingival biofilm before it matures to a pathogenic state (Correct answer)
- Allow gingival tissue to fully heal between appointments
- Prevent the need for further active periodontal therapy
Correct answer: Disrupt subgingival biofilm before it matures to a pathogenic state
The 3-month interval disrupts subgingival biofilm before it can mature and reorganize into a pathogenic community capable of causing disease recurrence.
NBDHE NBDHE Periodontal Assessment and Treatment 2
A patient presents with 5-6 mm probing depths, bleeding on probing, and radiographic bone loss of 15-25%.
Which AAP classification does this represent?