Which stage is associated with 25-50% attachment loss?

• A. Stage 2
• B. Stage 3
• C. Stage 1
• D. Stage 4

Answer: (B)

Attachment loss percentage is used to gauge how much periodontal support a tooth has lost, and how severe the disease is. When about a quarter to half of the attaching tissue is lost—roughly 25-50%—this fits with Stage 3, which is considered moderate periodontitis. At this level you’re seeing more substantial disruption of support than in early stages, often with deeper probing depths and tooth mobility, and sometimes early furcation involvement in multi-rooted teeth. Stage 3 sits between mild disease (lower attachment loss) and the most advanced form (greater than 50% attachment loss). Management at this stage is more involved than in Stage 2, with a focus on thorough debridement, root planing, and evaluating the need for surgical intervention or extractions based on prognosis.