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periodontitis

 
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: periodontitis
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Inflammation of soft tissues around the teeth (see tooth). Poor dental hygiene leads to deposition of bacterial plaque on the teeth below the gum line, irritating and eroding nearby tissues. If it is not treated, the gum margin recedes, exposing the roots of the teeth. The process eventually involves the bone anchoring the teeth, which loosen and may fall out. Removal of all plaque deposits and affected soft tissues can arrest but not reverse bone deterioration.

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Medical Dictionary: per·i·o·don·ti·tis
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(pĕr'ē-ō'dŏn-tī'tĭs)
n.

Disease of the periodontium characterized by inflammation of the gums, resorption of the alveolar bone, and degeneration of the periodontal membrane.

WordNet: periodontitis
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a disease that attacks the gum and bone and around the teeth
  Synonym: periodontal disease

 
 

 

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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company.  Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more