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Periodontics · single question

Two patients have identical amounts of periodontal attachment and bone loss. Why does a 50-year-old generally have a better periodontal prognosis than a 25-year-old with the same loss?

  1. The older patient's bone regenerates faster
  2. The same destruction over more years indicates a slower rate of disease progression
  3. Older patients always have better oral hygiene
  4. Younger patients cannot respond to periodontal therapy
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Correct answer: B. The same destruction over more years indicates a slower rate of disease progression

If a 50-year-old accumulated a given amount of bone loss over a longer period, the disease is progressing more slowly. A 25-year-old who reached the same loss much faster has more aggressive disease and a worse prognosis.Other options: Bone does not regenerate faster with age; hygiene is patient-specific; younger patients do respond to therapy.Key exam takeaway: Prognosis depends on the RATE of destruction (amount of loss relative to age), not the absolute amount alone.

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