Deck 16: Periodontal Emergencies

Question 1

A periodontal abscess is usually characterized by:

A) Pain
B) Swelling
C) Discomfort
D) Tooth sensitivity to pressure
E) A, B, and C

Answer 1

A, B, and C

Question 2

Which disease is highly infectious?

A) Pericoronitis
B) Periapical abscess
C) Acute periodontal abscess
D) Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
E) Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG)

Answer 2

Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis

Question 3

The tissue associated with the pericoronitis infection is called the:

A) Percolator
B) Operculum
C) Gingival abscess
D) Periodontal abscess

Answer 3

Operculum

Question 4

The pericoronitis infection should be fully débrided with instruments at the first visit.Antibiotics should always be prescribed when treating these infections.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 5

The periodontal emergency that occurs in an otherwise healthy periodontium is usually:

A) Pericoronitis
B) Gingival abscess
C) Periapical abscess
D) Acute periodontal abscess
E) Chronic periodontal abscess

Question 6

NUG infections are associated with which of the following microflorae?

A) Gram-positive, aerobic
B) Gram-negative, aerobic
C) Gram-positive, anaerobic
D) Gram-negative, anaerobic

Question 7

NUG is a periodontal infection associated with all of the following predisposing factors except one.Which factor is the exception?

A) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
B) Down syndrome
C) Blood dyscrasias
D) Stressful lifestyle
E) Flaps of tissue on some teeth

Question 8

All of the following characteristics are typically found in cases of NUG except one.Which characteristic is the exception?

A) Painless
B) Smoking
C) Bleeding
D) Fetor oris (bad breath)
E) Necrosis of the papillae

Question 9

A periapical abscess is an infectious process originating and spreading from the periodontal pocket to the pulp.A periapical abscess is an infectious process originating and spreading from the pulp to the periodontal pocket.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 10

The tooth most likely to be associated with pericoronitis is the:

A) Maxillary third molar
B) Mandibular third molar
C) Maxillary second molar
D) Mandibular second molar

Question 11

Periapical pain tends to be sharp,severe,intermittent,and difficult to localize.Periodontal pain tends to be sharp,severe,intermittent,and difficult to localize.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 12

What is the term for an emergency condition that is associated with partially or fully erupted teeth?

A) Pericoronitis
B) Gingival abscess
C) Periapical abscess
D) Acute periodontal abscess
E) Chronic periodontal abscess

Question 13

Options for definitive treatment of pericoronitis include all of the following except one.Which option is the exception?

A) Extraction of the tooth
B) Removal of the excess tissue
C) Scaling and gingival curettage

Question 14

A periapical abscess that is draining can resemble which of the following?

A) Pericoronitis
B) Allergic reaction
C) Periodontal abscess
D) Linear gingival erythema

Question 15

A periapical abscess must be treated as soon as possible.Periapical abscesses can lead to life-threatening situations.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 16

The periodontal abscess is the result of bacteria that have become established in the tissues as a result of which of the following causes?

A) Trauma
B) Advancing disease process and trauma
C) Incomplete scaling and root planing and advancing disease
D) Incomplete scaling and root planing, advancing disease, and trauma

Question 17

The patient is likely to relate experiencing previous episodes of swelling and pain with which type of periodontal emergency?

A) Pericoronitis
B) Gingival abscess
C) Periapical abscess
D) Acute periodontal abscess
E) Chronic periodontal abscess

Question 18

The role of the dental hygienist in dealing with emergent conditions always includes:

A) Treatment and referral
B) Recognition and referral
C) Treatment of the condition
D) Recognition and treatment of the condition

Question 19

Most painful teeth are the result of periapical abscesses.In the periodontist's office,patients are more likely to have periodontal abscesses than periapical abscesses.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 20

The opening of a sinus track associated with a tooth in the primary dentition is most likely related to:

A) Pericoronitis
B) Gingival abscess
C) Periapical abscess
D) Periodontal abscess
E) Either C or D

Question 21

Which disease process requires that all elective treatment be postponed until the condition has been resolved?

A) Pericoronitis
B) Gingival abscess
C) Periapical abscess
D) Periodontal abscess
E) Primary herpetic infection

Question 22

Chronic periodontal abscesses:

A) Are usually painless
B) Involve a nonvital tooth
C) Are free of suppuration or purulence
D) Cause the surrounding tissue to have a cratered appearance

Question 23

The three basic types of abscesses include all of the following except:

A) Gingival
B) Periapical
C) Periodontal
D) Pericoronal

Question 24

MATCHING
Match the following characteristics with the most appropriate lesion.
Pain is constant and can be localized; the tooth is vital,but no apical radiolucency is observed.

A)Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
B)Pericoronitis
C)NUG
D)Periodontal abscess
E)Endodontic abscess

Question 25

Patients with periodontal abscesses often state that the painful tooth feels "high." This symptom occurs because of inflammation and swelling of the:

A) Tooth pulp
B) Oral mucosa
C) Alveolar bone
D) Attached gingiva
E) Periodontal ligament

Question 26

MATCHING
Match the following characteristics with the most appropriate lesion.
Pain is intermittent and hard to localize; the tooth is usually nonvital and apical radiolucency is common.

A)Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
B)Pericoronitis
C)NUG
D)Periodontal abscess
E)Endodontic abscess

Question 27

NUG is a communicable disease associated with young teens.NUG is opportunistic gingival tissue often associated with severe stress.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 28

MATCHING
Match the following characteristics with the most appropriate lesion.
Swelling of the gingiva is associated with the most distal tooth; fever and exudate may be present.

A)Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
B)Pericoronitis
C)NUG
D)Periodontal abscess
E)Endodontic abscess

Question 29

All treatment other than emergency palliative care should be postponed during the course of acute herpetic gingivostomatitis.Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis normally runs its course between 7 and 10 days.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 30

Teeth often test nonvital in which type of abscess?

A) Gingival
B) Periodontal
C) Pericoronal
D) Endodontic

Question 31

Pus formation characterizes periodontal abscesses.Other names for pus include:

A) Exudate
B) Purulence
C) Suppuration
D) Purulent exudate
E) All of the above

Question 32

MATCHING
Match the following characteristics with the most appropriate lesion.
Red border and a gray ulcerated center are observed and may be present on the lips,tongue,gingiva,or buccal mucosa.

A)Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
B)Pericoronitis
C)NUG
D)Periodontal abscess
E)Endodontic abscess

Question 33

Combination endodontic and periodontal abscesses require:

A) Endodontic therapy alone
B) Periodontal therapy alone
C) Extraction of the tooth in most cases
D) Both endodontic and periodontal treatment
E) C and D

Question 34

Which term is often applied to a herpetic lesion on the finger of the operator?

A) Wheal
B) Wharton
C) Whitlow
D) Warfarin

Question 35

One of the concerns for patients with acute periodontal conditions is that they may not eat and become dehydrated.Educating the patient about the importance of maintaining a good diet and consuming plenty of fluids is important for the dental hygienist.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 36

MATCHING
Match the following characteristics with the most appropriate lesion.
Surface of gingival tissue has pseudomembranous coating,papillae appear cratered,and the breath has a fetid odor.

A)Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
B)Pericoronitis
C)NUG
D)Periodontal abscess
E)Endodontic abscess

Question 37

NUG will most likely cause what papillary contour?

A) Edema
B) Cratering
C) Recession
D) Enlargement

Question 38

The herpesvirus travels through the nerves and resides in neuronal ganglia after the primary infection has occurred.This virus reoccurs most commonly as a herpes labialis.

A) Both statements are TRUE.
B) Both statements are FALSE.
C) The first statement is TRUE, and the second statement is FALSE.
D) The first statement is FALSE, and the second statement is TRUE.

Question 39

The flap of tissue that covers a partially or fully erupted tooth is referred to as:

A) Operculum
B) Periodontal flap
C) Pericornoid tissue
D) Periodontoclasia

Question 40

Swelling,shiny red tissue,tooth sensitivity to pressure,and possible tooth mobility are common symptoms of:

A) NUG
B) Pericoronitis abscess
C) Chronic periodontal abscess
D) Acute periodontal abscess

Question 41

Suppuration is always found in patients with acute periodontal abscesses.

Question 42

Ultrasonic instrumentation may be used to treat NUG.

Question 43

Abscesses may be combinations of periodontal and endodontic lesions.

Question 44

The microbiota found in acute periodontal abscesses are mainly gram-negative,aerobic organisms.

Question 45

Untreated endodontic abscesses can lead to abscesses of the brain or fasciitis of the neck or chest wall.

Question 46

Gingival abscesses often indicate an abnormality of the deeper tissues in that area.

Question 47

Acute periodontal abscesses are associated with preexisting periodontal disease.

Question 48

Rapid bone loss occurs during acute episodes of infection.

Question 49

Pain may be the feature that distinguishes a periapical abscess from a periodontal abscess.

Question 50

Once an abscess drains and is no longer causing discomfort,treatment may be delayed for several months.