What is primarily indicated if a patient exhibits no attachment loss but has deep probing depth?

What is primarily indicated if a patient exhibits no attachment loss but has deep probing depth?

• A. True periodontal disease
• B. Inflammatory response
• C. Pseudopocketing
• D. Early stage periodontitis

Answer: (C)

When a patient has deep probing depths but no attachment loss, this primarily indicates the presence of pseudopocketing. Pseudopockets are a result of gingival inflammation and swelling rather than the loss of periodontal attachment. In this scenario, the gingiva may appear swollen and displaced apically around the teeth, leading to increased probing depths, but the underlying periodontal attachment structure remains intact. This condition is often associated with gingivitis or localized inflammation, where the soft tissues are affected without the loss of bone or periodontal support, which distinguishes it from true periodontal disease. True periodontal disease would typically present with both probing depths and attachment loss, while early-stage periodontitis would also show signs of attachment loss. The inflammatory response could be present, but without attachment loss, it is more accurate to describe the situation as pseudopocketing.

When a patient has deep probing depths but no attachment loss, this primarily indicates the presence of pseudopocketing. Pseudopockets are a result of gingival inflammation and swelling rather than the loss of periodontal attachment. In this scenario, the gingiva may appear swollen and displaced apically around the teeth, leading to increased probing depths, but the underlying periodontal attachment structure remains intact.

This condition is often associated with gingivitis or localized inflammation, where the soft tissues are affected without the loss of bone or periodontal support, which distinguishes it from true periodontal disease. True periodontal disease would typically present with both probing depths and attachment loss, while early-stage periodontitis would also show signs of attachment loss. The inflammatory response could be present, but without attachment loss, it is more accurate to describe the situation as pseudopocketing.