True or false: PSR codes reflect pocket depth, not recession alone.

True or false: PSR codes reflect pocket depth, not recession alone.

• A. True; the numeric code reflects pocket depth, not recession alone.
• B. False; recession alone determines the code.
• C. False; pocket depth and recession equally determine the code.
• D. False; codes are unrelated to pocket depth.

Answer: (A)

PSR codes are based on probing pocket depth, not on recession alone. During the screening, the deepest probing depth in each sextant determines the code for that sextant, so the current pocket status drives the code. Gingival recession shows attachment loss but does not by itself set the PSR code. That’s why you can have significant recession with shallow pockets and a low code, or deep pockets with little recession and a high code. In short, the code reflects how deep the pockets are, not just how far the gums have receded.

PSR codes are based on probing pocket depth, not on recession alone. During the screening, the deepest probing depth in each sextant determines the code for that sextant, so the current pocket status drives the code. Gingival recession shows attachment loss but does not by itself set the PSR code. That’s why you can have significant recession with shallow pockets and a low code, or deep pockets with little recession and a high code. In short, the code reflects how deep the pockets are, not just how far the gums have receded.