NSPT &
Treatment
Self Care and Patient Role
Healing and Outcomes
Clinical Decisions
Board Questions
100

Generally performed before surgery for periodontitis patients

What is Nonsurgical periodontal therapy?

100

Biofilm patients can remove at home

what is Supragingival biofilm?

100

This common post-NSPT patient complaint occurs when exposed dentinal tubules respond to thermal, tactile, or osmotic stimuli.

What is dentinal hypersensitivity?

100

This CDT code is used for patients with generalized moderate to severe gingival inflammation without radiographic bone loss.

What is D4346?

100

This common misconception is false: not all cases of this reversible condition progress to periodontitis.

What is gingivitis?

200

Code for generalized gingivitis without bone loss

What is D4346?

200

Best tool for root concavities

What is Interdental brush ?

or 

Waterflosser/Waterpik 

I will accept either answer

200

The theory explaining dentinal hypersensitivity

What is the hydrodynamic theory? 

200

A patient returns with disease after previously successful therapy due to poor home care.

What is Recurrent periodontitis?

200

Radiographs often fail to detect this condition in its earliest stages.

What is bone loss?

300

Primary goal of NSPT

What is Remove biofilm and inflammation?

300

Behavior change method using collaboration

What is Motivational interviewing?

300

This healing process is responsible for reduced probing depths after successful NSPT without true regeneration.

What is Epithelial adaptation?

300

If floss shreds repeatedly between two teeth, this local factor should be suspected first.

What may hint a poorly contoured restoration?

300

This outdated belief incorrectly claimed that this root structure had to be removed during root planing.

What is cementum

400

Recommended timeframe for reevaluation after completion of nonsurgical periodontal therapy

What is 4-6 Weeks ?

400

Most important factor in long-term success

What is Patient compliance?

400

Following successful NSPT, this finding should decrease as periodontal tissues heal.

What is bleeding on probing?

400

This is the most significant modifiable risk factor for periodontal disease progression.

What is smoking?

400

This common interdental aid is not the best choice for every patient, especially those with open embrasures.

What is dental floss?

500

The primary type of healing that occurs after successful nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

What is Long Junctional Epithelium?

500

These oral hygiene devices are recommended for implant patients because they disrupt biofilm without traumatizing peri-implant tissues

What is Waterpik/Water flossers ?

500

This is indicated when deep periodontal pockets and inflammation persist after reevaluation following NSPT

What is referral to a periodontist?

500

When a patient continues to show inflammation after NSPT, this is the next clinical step before considering surgery.

What is reinstrumentation?

500

Dental plaque is one example of this broader bacterial community found throughout nature.

What is biofilm?

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