Applying a pressure of 0.25N to measure pocket depth reveals what indication of periodontitis at 4 mm?

The measurement of pocket depth is a critical component in assessing periodontal health. A pocket depth of 4 mm can indicate different conditions depending on the context of other clinical findings. In periodontal examinations, normal healthy sulcular depth typically ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm. A pocket depth of 4 mm, while it is above the ideal range, does not necessarily confirm the presence of periodontitis on its own.

When applying a pressure of 0.25N to assess pocket depth, the finding of 4 mm may still be considered a normal response if there are no other signs of inflammation or attachment loss, which are key indicators of periodontitis. Healthy tissue would ideally show shallower depths, but 4 mm can still fall into a borderline range where it could be seen in an otherwise healthy scenario, especially if the surrounding tissue appears healthy and there is no bleeding on probing.

This measurement alone must be interpreted in the context of the overall periodontal health, including clinical signs like bleeding, attachment loss, and the presence of calculus or plaque, which are essential to diagnosing conditions like gingivitis or periodontitis. In isolation, a 4 mm pocket depth does not definitively indicate periodontitis, thereby leading to the interpretation that it