If a patient has gingival inflammation with 0% attachment loss, which stage is most appropriate?

• A. Stage 0
• B. Stage 3
• C. Stage 1
• D. Stage 2

Answer: (C)

When a patient shows gingival inflammation but no loss of attachment, the situation is gingivitis—the tissue change is limited to the gums and there is no destruction of the supporting structures. In this staging system, that is considered the initial stage of periodontal disease. Since there is 0% attachment loss, there are no periodontal pockets or bone loss, and the condition is typically reversible with proper plaque control and professional cleaning. The higher stages reflect increasing attachment loss and bone involvement, which isn’t present here, and the absence of gingival inflammation would point away from the initial stage.