What does a deepening sulcus indicate over time?

A deepening sulcus over time is an indication of possible disease progression in periodontal health. This change occurs when there is increased inflammation and loss of attachment due to factors such as bacterial infection and plaque accumulation, leading to the break down of periodontal tissues.

As periodontal disease advances, the sulcus, which is the space between the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue, becomes deeper due to this loss of supporting structures around the tooth. The depth of the sulcus is a critical indicator that helps clinicians assess the severity of periodontal disease and the potential need for further intervention.

In contrast, a deepening sulcus would not signify improvement in periodontal health or effective treatment response, as these would typically result in the reduction of sulcus depth. Healthy tissue attachment would also be characterized by stable sulcus depth, generally indicating good periodontal health. Therefore, a deepening sulcus serves as a warning sign of potential ongoing disease progression that needs to be addressed.