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Periodontics · single question

The periodontal staging and grading system classifies periodontitis. Which of the following helps determine the GRADE (rate of disease progression)?

  1. Number of furcation involvements
  2. Radiographic bone loss percentage per age (% RBL/age)
  3. Maximum probing depth at the worst site
  4. Number of teeth lost due to periodontitis
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Correct answer: B. Radiographic bone loss percentage per age (% RBL/age)

  • A. Furcation involvement contributes to staging complexity — not grading.
  • B. Correct. GRADE assesses the RATE of disease progression. A key modifier is the ratio of radiographic bone loss (%) to patient's age (%RBL/age). Grade A (<0.25): slow progression; Grade B (0.25-1.0): moderate; Grade C (>1.0): rapid progression. Smoking and diabetes also modify the grade.
  • C. Maximum probing depth contributes to staging, not grading.
  • D. Teeth lost is used to determine STAGE (Stage III = ≤4 teeth lost, Stage IV = ≥5 teeth lost).

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