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pyorrhea

 
Dictionary: py·or·rhe·a or py·or·rhoe·a ('ə-rē'ə) pronunciation
 
n.
  1. Purulent inflammation of the gums and tooth sockets, often leading to loosening of the teeth.
  2. A discharge of pus.
pyorrheal py'or·rhe'al adj.
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(pī′ə-rē′ ə)
n

An antiquated term used to designate periodontal disease. Generally, it means “flow of pus,” which previously was a feature of periodontal disease. Before the use of the term pyorrhea, periodontitis was designated as Riggs’ disease and Fauchard’s disease. Still retained in some communities as a lay term for periodontal disease.

 
Columbia Encyclopedia: pyorrhea
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pyorrhea (pīərē'ə) , inflammation and degeneration of the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth. The onset of the disease is marked by bleeding of the gums. As the disease proceeds, the gums recede from the teeth, loosening of the teeth occurs, and the bone supporting the teeth is resorbed. Pus is discharged from pockets in the gums, which are formed as the jawbone recedes from the roots of the teeth. Pyorrhea, known medically as pyorrhea alveolaris, is most common in persons over 40. There are numerous possible causes, toward which therapy is directed, including poor nutrition, poor oral hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, and irritation of the tissues by dental tartar.


 
Veterinary Dictionary: pyorrhea
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A copious discharge of pus.

  • p. alveolaris — a purulent inflammation of the dental periosteum, with progressive necrosis of the alveoli and looseness of the teeth. See also periodontitis.
 
 
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Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/  Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more

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