Suppuration is defined as which of the following?

Suppuration is defined as which of the following?

• A. Pus appearing during probing
• B. Pus in saliva
• C. Pus coming out of the gum pocket when a periodontal probe is inserted
• D. Pus accumulation in tissues

Answer: (C)

Suppuration is the discharge of purulent material from a periodontal pocket, indicating an active infection. The most precise way this is observed clinically is pus coming out of the gum pocket when a periodontal probe is inserted, because it shows the pocket itself is producing and releasing the purulent exudate. Pus in saliva does not specify that it originates from a pocket, and pus accumulating in tissues describes a different situation such as a tissue abscess rather than drainage from the pocket. Seeing pus appear during probing without tying it to pocket drainage is less specific than confirming it drains from the periodontal pocket.

Suppuration is the discharge of purulent material from a periodontal pocket, indicating an active infection. The most precise way this is observed clinically is pus coming out of the gum pocket when a periodontal probe is inserted, because it shows the pocket itself is producing and releasing the purulent exudate. Pus in saliva does not specify that it originates from a pocket, and pus accumulating in tissues describes a different situation such as a tissue abscess rather than drainage from the pocket. Seeing pus appear during probing without tying it to pocket drainage is less specific than confirming it drains from the periodontal pocket.