CPT Supportive Periodontal Therapy & Maintenance

Question 1

What is the recommended recall interval for most patients in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT)?

Accepted Answer

Every 3 months

Answer

Every 6 months

Answer

Every 12 months

Answer

Every 18 months

Question 2

Which factor has the GREATEST influence on preventing recurrence of periodontitis during SPT?

Accepted Answer

Patient compliance with recall appointments

Answer

The type of periodontal instruments used during active therapy

Answer

Number of teeth extracted prior to SPT

Answer

Age of the patient at diagnosis

Question 3

During an SPT appointment, which assessment is typically performed FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Medical and dental history update

Answer

Full-mouth periodontal probing

Answer

Radiographic evaluation

Answer

Subgingival debridement

Question 4

In SPT, 'disease reactivation' is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Increased probing depths, attachment loss, or bone loss compared to post-treatment baseline

Answer

Patient complaint of tooth sensitivity between visits

Answer

An increase in plaque score without clinical attachment change

Answer

Development of a new systemic condition unrelated to oral health

Question 5

Which index is most commonly used to assess plaque control during SPT visits?

Accepted Answer

O'Leary Plaque Control Record

Answer

Gingival Index (GI)

Answer

Periodontal Screening Record (PSR)

Answer

Community Periodontal Index (CPI)

Question 6

A patient in SPT shows a 2mm increase in probing depths at multiple sites at their 3-month recall. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Re-evaluate for additional active periodontal therapy or referral to a periodontist

Answer

Increase SPT frequency to monthly intervals as the only change

Answer

Prescribe systemic antibiotics without further clinical assessment

Answer

Continue the current 3-month SPT interval without modification

Question 7

How does supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) differ from a routine dental prophylaxis?

Accepted Answer

SPT includes comprehensive periodontal assessment and targeted subgingival debridement for previously treated patients, while prophylaxis is preventive cleaning for periodontally healthy patients

Answer

SPT uses different ultrasonic tips but is otherwise identical to prophylaxis

Answer

Prophylaxis includes full periodontal probing while SPT does not

Answer

SPT is exclusively performed by periodontists and cannot be delegated to dental hygienists