Periodontal Prognosis Assessment — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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HardPeriodontologyPeriodontal Prognosis AssessmentORE Part 1

A patient has an acute lateral periodontal abscess associated with a tooth that has a 9 mm mesial probing depth and grade II mobility. They also have generalised advanced periodontitis. Following control of the acute infection, which consideration is most important when deciding whether to retain or extract this tooth?

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Correct answer: C — Its prognosis and strategic value within the overall treatment plan

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · A = shown as C

The correct answer is A. SDCEP advises a holistic assessment of tooth prognosis and strategic value when planning care for periodontally involved teeth. The decision integrates disease control, bone support, pocketing, mobility, restorability, pulpal/periapical status, tooth position and occlusion, patient risk factors and preferences, and whether the tooth can be maintained functionally within the planned dentition. A 9 mm pocket (B) and grade II mobility (C) indicate a compromised prognosis, but neither alone mandates extraction; some severely affected teeth may be retained after appropriate periodontal treatment. Age (D) is only one possible contextual factor and is not determinative. Gingival colour (E) may reflect inflammation but does not determine retainability. Extraction is more appropriate when the tooth is unrestorable, cannot function satisfactorily, or remains infected despite treatment.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases in Primary Care, “Assessing tooth prognosis”, 2025. https://www.periodontalcare.sdcep.org.uk/guidance/planning-treatment/assessing-tooth-prognosis/