Which of the following reflects the radiographic finding associated with periodontal disease progression?

• A. Tooth whitening
• B. Pulp sclerosis
• C. Bone loss
• D. Calculus deposition

Answer: (C)

Periodontal disease progression is reflected on radiographs by loss of supporting bone around the teeth. This appears as a reduction in the height of the alveolar bone adjacent to the teeth, crestal bone resorption, and sometimes vertical or horizontal patterns of bone loss as the disease advances. These bone changes directly show the destruction of the bone that normally anchors teeth, which is why bone loss is the radiographic finding linked to progression. Tooth whitening is a surface cosmetic change and won’t show up as a valid radiographic finding. Pulp sclerosis involves changes inside the tooth pulp, not the surrounding bone. Calculus deposition can appear as radiopaque bands along tooth surfaces but does not by itself indicate ongoing periodontal destruction.