What is a common side effect of periodontal disease treatment in chronic patients?

The correct answer is pocket reduction, which is a desired outcome of periodontal disease treatment, especially in chronic patients. Periodontal therapy includes various procedures such as scaling and root planing, which aim to remove plaque and tartar build-up beneath the gum line. This treatment helps to decrease inflammation and encourages the gums to reattach to the teeth, ultimately leading to a reduction in pocket depth.

Pocket reduction is a critical goal in managing periodontal disease as deep pockets are associated with more severe bacterial colonization, leading to ongoing disease progression. By effectively treating periodontal disease, the health of the periodontal tissues can be restored, allowing for a better and more stable periodontal condition.

The other options, while they may occur in some cases or patients, do not represent the primary goal or common outcome of treatment for chronic periodontal disease. Overgrowth of healthy tissues can happen in rare cases but is not typical and indicates a different condition. A temporary increase in pocket depth may sometimes be observed immediately after debridement due to inflammation but does not reflect the long-term effectiveness of treatment. Changes in taste perception are generally not associated with the treatment of periodontal disease and could relate more to other factors, such as medications or systemic conditions.