During which phase of periodontal therapy does the primary removal of bacteria occur?

Correct answer: A. Treatment phase (active therapy)

• A. The treatment (active therapy) phase of periodontal care includes scaling and root planing, antimicrobial therapy, and surgical debridement — this is when the clinician directly removes bacteria, calculus, and infected cementum. ✓
• B. The remodeling phase is the final maturation of repaired tissue over months — it occurs well after bacterial removal has taken place.
• C. The proliferative/repair phase occurs after treatment when the body forms new collagen, epithelium, and bone — bacteria have already been addressed in the prior phase.
• D. The inflammatory phase occurs immediately after injury (or during active disease) — it involves innate immune response but does not represent intentional bacterial removal by the clinician.