Periodontics · patient case question
What is the treatment?
Patient case: Generalised bleeding on probing with an isolated 8 mm CAL loss on #23
Scenario: Bleeding on probing in 80-90% of the mouth, probing depths 2-3 mm throughout, EXCEPT tooth #23 which has 8 mm of CAL loss on the LABIAL ONLY. Photograph shows a patient who has lost no teeth, with healthy pink gingiva except at #23, where the root is almost fully exposed on the labial surface only.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Adult prophylaxis with oral hygiene instruction
- A. Scaling and root planing is the therapy for PERIODONTITIS with subgingival calculus and pocketing; with 2-3 mm probing depths it is not indicated.
- B. Correct. Because there is gingivitis without periodontitis, treatment is a PROPHYLAXIS — supragingival scaling and polishing — together with oral hygiene instruction, with particular attention to correcting the traumatic brushing technique that produced the recession.
- C. Open flap debridement is a surgical procedure for residual deep pockets after non-surgical therapy fails.
- D. Periodontal maintenance is the recall protocol for a patient PREVIOUSLY TREATED for periodontitis — this patient has never had periodontitis.