What is the most reliable evidence that periodontal disease has stopped?

The most reliable evidence that periodontal disease has stopped is indicated by the presence of stable probing depths. When probing depths are stable, it suggests that the inflammatory process associated with periodontal disease has been halted, and there is no ongoing loss of attachment or supportive periodontal structures. Stability means that the progression of the disease, characterized by deeper probing depths, has ceased.

While bleeding on probing can be an indicator of inflammation, it does not specifically confirm that disease progression has stopped. Similarly, visible plaque is a sign of biofilm accumulation and does not directly correlate with the activity of periodontal disease. No attachment loss is important, but it is the stability of probing depths over time that more definitively indicates a cessation of disease activity.Stable probing depths may also help in assessing the effectiveness of the treatment or maintenance protocol in preventing periodontal disease progression. Thus, stable probing depths provide the most comprehensive and reliable evidence that periodontal disease has stabilized.