Question

Each of the following should be planned for this patient's periodontal maintenance appointment EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A. Deplaquing and removing calculus from affected teeth
B. Scaling the exposed root surfaces
C. Using subgingival instrumentation to disrupt biofilm
D. Reprobing the entire dentition
E. Evaluating and reinforcing oral self-care

Answer 1

The periodontal maintenance appointment for this patient should include several procedures to ensure proper oral health, but reprobing the entire dentition is the exception.

Step-by-step explanation:

The periodontal maintenance appointment for this patient should include several procedures to ensure proper oral health. These include:

1. Deplaquing and removing calculus from affected teeth. This involves the mechanical removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth and gumline.
2. Scaling the exposed root surfaces to remove any plaque or calculus that may have accumulated.
3. Using subgingival instrumentation to disrupt biofilm. This involves cleaning below the gumline to remove any bacteria or biofilm that may be present.
4. Evaluating and reinforcing oral self-care. This includes assessing the patient's oral hygiene habits and providing education and reinforcement on proper brushing and flossing techniques.

The exception in this case would be reprobing the entire dentition. Reprobing is typically done during initial periodontal assessments but may not be necessary during routine maintenance appointments, where the focus is on plaque and calculus removal and oral self-care reinforcement.