What was the probing depth range recorded for the 62-year-old patient?

• A. 3-4 mm
• B. 5-6 mm
• C. 7-8 mm
• D. 9-10 mm

Answer: (C)

Probing depth is the distance from the gingival margin to the base of the pocket, and it tells us how deep the periodontal pockets are. Healthy sulci are about 1–3 mm. A depth around seven to eight millimeters shows pockets that extend well beyond a healthy sulcus, indicating moderate-to-severe periodontal involvement. In a 62-year-old patient, this level of pocketing is common for chronic periodontitis and guides us toward more than routine cleaning, potentially requiring more advanced treatment after initial therapy. The shallower ranges would reflect minimal pocketing, while deeper readings (nine to ten millimeters) would suggest more extensive disease. So seven to eight millimeters best fits a moderate-to-severe periodontal condition.