ORE Part 2 Periodontology 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the BPE (Basic Periodontal Examination) code that indicates a need for complex treatment (specialist referral consideration)?
- Code 4 (Correct answer)
- Code 3
- Code 2
- Code *
Correct answer: Code 4
BPE Code 4 indicates pocket depths of 6 mm or more, requiring complex periodontal treatment and consideration of specialist referral for appropriate management.
Question 2: Which instrument design is most effective for subgingival debridement in a narrow 5 mm pocket?
- Gracey curette (e.g., Gracey 11/12 for mesial surfaces) (Correct answer)
- Universal curette only
- Ultrasonic scaler tip (standard beaver tail)
- Hand sickle scaler
Correct answer: Gracey curette (e.g., Gracey 11/12 for mesial surfaces)
Area-specific Gracey curettes are designed to adapt to specific root surfaces, providing effective subgingival debridement in defined pocket depths.
Question 3: What is the primary aim of periodontal regeneration using GTR (guided tissue regeneration)?
- Selective repopulation of periodontal ligament cells before epithelium (Correct answer)
- Eliminate the pocket surgically
- Cover exposed root surfaces only
- Reduce alveolar bone height
Correct answer: Selective repopulation of periodontal ligament cells before epithelium
GTR uses membranes to exclude epithelium and gingival connective tissue, allowing PDL and bone cells to repopulate the defect and achieve true periodontal regeneration.
Question 4: Necrotising periodontal disease (NPD) is characterised by which pathognomonic feature?
- Necrosis and punched-out interdental papillae with pseudomembrane (Correct answer)
- Deep pockets without tissue necrosis
- Generalised gingival overgrowth
- Tooth mobility without bone loss
Correct answer: Necrosis and punched-out interdental papillae with pseudomembrane
NPD presents with necrosis and ulceration of interdental papillae, which appear punched-out with a grey pseudomembranous slough, often with pain and halitosis.
Question 5: Which risk factor has the strongest evidence for worsening periodontal disease outcomes?
- Cigarette smoking (Correct answer)
- Coffee consumption
- Stress alone
- Dietary sugar intake
Correct answer: Cigarette smoking
Cigarette smoking is the most robustly evidenced modifiable risk factor for periodontitis, associated with deeper pockets, more bone loss, and poorer treatment outcomes.
Question 6: In BSP periodontal staging, what clinical finding upgrades a case to Stage IV?
- Masticatory dysfunction or need for complex multidisciplinary rehabilitation (Correct answer)
- Probing depths above 6 mm
- Furcation Class II involvement
- BOP above 50%
Correct answer: Masticatory dysfunction or need for complex multidisciplinary rehabilitation
Stage IV is distinguished from Stage III by the presence of masticatory dysfunction — such as drifting, flaring, tooth loss due to periodontitis, or bite collapse.
ORE Part 2 Periodontology 4
What is the BPE (Basic Periodontal Examination) code that indicates a need for complex treatment (specialist referral consideration)?