A patient who smokes heavily has generalized 6 to 7 mm periodontal pockets but very little bleeding on probing. What best explains the limited bleeding?
- Correct answer
Smoking suppresses the gingival vascular inflammatory response, masking bleeding
-
Smoking reduces the subgingival bacterial load
-
The pockets are pseudopockets caused by gingival enlargement
-
The periodontitis is inactive and needs no treatment
This question is one of 15 in AFK practice: Periodontics. Test yourself on all of them.
Practice quiz FlashcardsExplanations
Smoking reduces gingival blood flow and the vascular inflammatory response, so bleeding on probing underestimates disease activity in smokers. Smokers do not have a lower pathogen load, and their deep pockets still require treatment.
Source: Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology — oneguy
Log in to add an explanation.
Advertisement