What is a possible sign of a patient's recovery from SRP?

Improvement in pocket depth is a significant indicator of a patient's recovery following scaling and root planing (SRP). This procedure is designed to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and below the gum line, aiming to reduce the depth of periodontal pockets. When the treatment is effective, the inflammation associated with periodontal disease decreases, leading to a tightening of the gums around the teeth, which in turn results in reduced pocket depths.

A decrease in pocket depth highlights the effectiveness of the SRP in fostering periodontal health, suggesting that the patient's tissues are responding positively to the treatment, and it may indicate healing of the periodontal attachment levels.

In contrast, options such as increased tooth mobility, more pronounced swelling, and increased bleeding would suggest that the condition may be worsening rather than improving, indicating an unfavorable outcome from the treatment.