At which phase of periodontal therapy is the prognosis of individual teeth BEST re-evaluated?

Correct answer: B. At the reassessment visit after initial therapy

• A. The initial prognosis is assigned before treatment, but it is a preliminary assessment. The formal re-evaluation prognosis that guides further treatment decisions comes after initial therapy.
• B. CORRECT. Prognosis is initially assigned before treatment begins (based on baseline data), but it should be formally re-evaluated at the reassessment appointment (typically 4–8 weeks after completion of cause-related therapy). At reassessment, tissue response, pocket reduction, and changes in bone can be properly assessed to update the prognosis before planning definitive/surgical phases.
• C. Waiting years is appropriate for long-term monitoring, but the clinical decision to proceed to definitive treatment requires re-evaluation at the reassessment visit, not years later.
• D. Immediately after treatment there is still tissue healing and inflammation resolution ongoing; this is too early for an accurate reassessment.