After periodontal cleaning in a patient with chronic generalized periodontitis, what is a likely outcome?

The outcome of pocket reduction of 1-2 mm after periodontal cleaning in a patient with chronic generalized periodontitis is a realistic expectation. When periodontal cleaning, such as scaling and root planing, is performed, it helps to remove plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces, leading to improved periodontal health. This process often results in the reduction of pocket depths as inflammation decreases, and tissues begin to heal.

In chronic generalized periodontitis, the condition typically involves deeper pocket depths due to the presence of inflammation and attachment loss. Following thorough periodontal treatment, it is common to see some reduction in these pocket depths as the periodontal tissues respond positively to the removal of irritants. An improvement of 1-2 mm is a typical outcome, reflecting the degree to which the patient's periodontal health has improved post-treatment.

Other options are less likely outcomes. For instance, while some improvement in pocket depths might be seen, expecting a complete resolution of inflammation or pocket depths of 3-4 mm would be overly optimistic and not reflective of typical responses after such cleaning procedures. Additionally, teeth whitening effects are unrelated to periodontal cleaning, as this procedure does not address tooth coloration or esthetics directly. Hence, the focus remains on reduction in pocket depth as an indicator of improved periodontal