Periodontics · single question
Which organism is NOT associated with chronic/classical periodontitis?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Streptococcus mutans
- A. Fusobacterium nucleatum IS associated with periodontitis — it is the 'bridge' organism connecting early and late colonizers in biofilm development.
- B. T. forsythia IS associated with chronic periodontitis — it is part of the Red Complex with P. gingivalis and T. denticola.
- C. P. gingivalis IS the KEY pathogen in chronic periodontitis — it is part of the Red Complex and is central to the pathogenesis of periodontal attachment loss.
- D. S. MUTANS is primarily a CARIES pathogen — it is the main bacterium responsible for dental caries (enamel demineralization). It is NOT associated with chronic periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis is caused by gram-negative anaerobes (P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola, A. actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium, Prevotella), not S. mutans.