DentistryDifficulty 3/5
Which step of a dental prophylaxis is the therapeutic one for periodontal disease?
- APolishing, which smooths the enamel surface after scaling is complete
- BFluoride application, which strengthens the enamel against future disease
- CSupragingival scaling, which removes the visible calculus deposits
- DSubgingival scaling, which removes plaque and calculus below the gingival margin
Show answer and rationale
Correct: D. Periodontal disease is a subgingival process, so subgingival scaling is the therapeutic step. Supragingival cleaning improves appearance, and polishing follows scaling to smooth microscopic roughness.
- C — Removing visible calculus alone leaves the disease untreated.
- A — Polishing is a finishing step, not treatment.
- B — Fluoride does not address subgingival plaque.