Timing of periodontal reassessment

Question 1

What is the purpose of reassessing the patient after treatment?

Answer 1

• To determine effectiveness of the treatment so far
• Determine how effective the role of the patient has been in controlling risk factors
• To determine if the patient needs any further therapy

Question 2

How many months after treatment is there the greatest improvement in pocket depth?

Answer 2

3 months

Question 3

Why do we need to wait at least 6 weeks before reassessment?

Answer 3

To allow the junctional epithelial tissues to reattachment to tooth surface takes 1-2 weeks

Repair of connective tissue occurs for 4-8 weeks following initial therapy

Over 2 months can lead to sub gingival microbial repopulation if OH is suboptimal potentially risking disease progression

4-8 weeks allows time to assess long-term plaque control

BOP, gingival erthyema and oedema decrease during the initial 4-8 weeks post-therapy

Question 4

How many months do we leave to reassess after a) periodontal surgery
b) regenerative non surgical and surgical response

Answer 4

3-6 months
9-12 months