What may persist after periodontal treatment according to studies?

Residual pockets without inflammation can indeed persist after periodontal treatment, as demonstrated in various studies. Following treatment protocols, such as scaling and root planing, it's common for some patients to maintain pockets that are deeper than optimal, yet these areas may not exhibit active inflammation. This situation can occur due to various factors, including anatomical variations, the presence of dental plaque in hard-to-reach areas, or individual healing responses to treatment.

Achieving complete resolution of pocket depth is often a goal following periodontal therapy, but it may not be feasible for all patients due to the complexity of periodontal disease and individual responses to treatment. Increased inflammation and pain would suggest an ongoing issue, rather than a resolution, which contradicts the post-treatment expectations. Lastly, necrosis of surrounding tissues is a more severe complication that may arise from advanced periodontal disease or other conditions but is not a typical outcome associated with the persistence of minimal or non-inflamed pockets following treatment. Thus, the presence of residual pockets without inflammation represents a more realistic and commonly observed scenario after periodontal interventions.