Editing Periodontal disease (section)

===Reevaluation===
Nonsurgical [[scaling and root planing]] are usually successful if the periodontal pockets are shallower than {{convert|4|–|5|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stambaugh RV, Dragoo M, Smith DM, Carasali L | title = The limits of subgingival scaling | journal = The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry | volume = 1 | issue = 5 | pages = 30–41 | year = 1981 | pmid = 7047434 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Waerhaug J | title = Healing of the dento-epithelial junction following subgingival plaque control. I. As observed in human biopsy material | journal = Journal of Periodontology | volume = 49 | issue = 1 | pages = 1–8 | date = January 1978 | pmid = 340634 | doi = 10.1902/jop.1978.49.1.1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Waerhaug J | title = Healing of the dento-epithelial junction following subgingival plaque control. II: As observed on extracted teeth | journal = Journal of Periodontology | volume = 49 | issue = 3 | pages = 119–34 | date = March 1978 | pmid = 288899 | doi = 10.1902/jop.1978.49.3.119 }}</ref> The dentist or hygienist must perform a re-evaluation four to six weeks after the initial scaling and root planing, to determine if the person's oral hygiene has improved and inflammation has regressed. Probing should be avoided then, and an analysis by gingival index should determine the presence or absence of inflammation. The monthly reevaluation of periodontal therapy should involve periodontal charting as a better indication of the success of treatment, and to see if other courses of treatment can be identified. Pocket depths of greater than {{convert|5|–|6|mm|abbr=on}} which remain after initial therapy, with bleeding upon probing, indicate continued active disease and will very likely lead to further bone loss over time. This is especially true in [[molar (tooth)|molar]] tooth sites where [[Furcation defect|furcations]] (areas between the roots) have been exposed.