Root Planing

Question 1

What characteristics are common to pseudo and true pockets?

Answer 1

1. Bacterial biofilm
2. Calculus
3. Chronically inflamed pocket wall
4. Destructive host response

Question 2

What characteristics are unique to a true pocket?

Answer 2

1. Altered root cementum
2. Apical migration of attachment
3. Bone loss

Question 3

T/F: Calculus is a mechanical and chemical irritant.

Answer 3

False

It is a plaque retentive feature

Question 4

T/F: Diseased cementum is a barrier to repair, and perpetuates tissue destruction.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What are some methods to alter the subgingival microenvironment?

Answer 5

1. Caries control
2. Replace restorations
3. Subgingival instrumentation
4. Local chemotherapeutics
5. Surgical corrections
6. Extractions
7. Quit smoking
8. Ortho

Question 6

What is the rationale for subgingival instrumentation?

Answer 6

Remove plaque, plaque retentive factors, remove diseased surfaces

Question 7

Subgingival instrumentation of the soft-tissue is called _______. Subgingival instrumentation hard tissue is called _______.

Answer 7

curettage; root planing

Question 8

What is the difference between root planing and subgingival scaling?

Answer 8

RP: Designed to remove cementum or surface dentin that is rough or diseased

SS: Designed to remove plaque, calculus, and stains

Question 9

_________ uses shaving strokes and is performed in periodontitis only.

Answer 9

Root planing

Question 10

What are the steps of periodontal healing?

Answer 10

1. Repair
2. Reattachment
3. New attachment
4. Regeneration

Question 11

What are three major keys to effective root planing?

Answer 11

1. Sharp instruments
2. Access to cemental surface
3. Correct instrument angulation

Question 12

What are the ideal conditions for root planing?

Answer 12

1. Moderate inflammation
2. Moderate pocket depth
3. Slight-moderate periodontitis
4. Obvious deposits

Question 13

T/F: Slight periodontitis is positively effected via root planing.

Answer 13

False

Actually causes attachment loss

Question 14

T/F: Very deep pockets and furcations are good for root planing.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

How long does the literature say is necessary to spend on each tooth for the best results?

Answer 15

6-8 minutes/tooth

Question 16

What are the most often missed areas during root planing?

Answer 16

CEJ, furcations, line angles, deep pockets

Question 17

When is periodontal surgery a good alternative to root planing?

Answer 17

Very deep pockets where curettes cannot reach the bottom

Question 18

T/F: Ultrasonics are more effective in calculus removal.

Answer 18

False

Both are equal but ultrasonics may be easier on the operator

Question 19

T/F: Hand instruments may be better in smoothing a rough root.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

How do you determine the end point of instrumentation?

Answer 20

Smooth roots

Question 21

What is the effect of root planing on LPS?

Answer 21

Renders the roots free of LPS

Question 22

T/F: Cementum is much thicker in the cervical portion of the root.

Answer 22

False

Thinner at cervical
Thicker at apical

Question 23

T/F: It is advantageous to have multiple episodes of SRP if the patient does not respond.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

What is the critical probing depth for root planing?

Answer 24

The depth at which planing will be helpful and not cause damage - 2.9 mm

Question 25

T/F: Treating perio pockets with a laser is acceptable as replacing SRP.

Answer 25

False

Adjunctive therapy to SRP

Question 26

T/F: Curretage and root planing are completely separate procedures.

Answer 26

Although they are different it is impossible to do one without the other

Question 27

T/F: Gingival currettage is justified in chronic periodontitis.

Answer 27

False

Difficult to accomplish in deep pockets