periodontitis
(per‵ē-ō-don‵tīt'ĭs 
)
[ periodonti(um) + -itis ]
Inflammation and /or degeneration of the dental periosteum, alveolar bone, cementum, and adjacent gingiva. Suppuration usually occurs, supporting bone is resorbed, teeth become loose, and gingival recession occurs. This condition usually follows chronic gingivitis, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, or poor dental hygiene. Systemic factors may also predispose one to this condition. SYN: pericementitis; Riggs disease.
SEE: table - Symptoms and Signs of Periodontitis.
ABBR: AgP
Periodontitis in which alveolar bone loss and ligament failure occur rapidly, resulting in dental mobility and sometimes exfoliation (loss of teeth). The disease often begins in adolescence and may cluster in families.apical p.Periodontitis developing at the tip of a tooth root, usually the result of pulpitis. It consists of a proliferating mass of chronic inflammatory tissue and possibly epithelial nests or colonies of bacteria. It may be encapsulated by fibrous tissue of the periodontal ligament. SYN: apical granuloma; dental granuloma.
chronic p.Periodontitis in which there is gradual and persistent evidence of periodontal pocket formation, injury to the ligamentous attachments of the teeth, destruction of alveolar bone, and , eventually, loosening of the teeth.
early p.Periodontitis in which, despite mild-to-moderate pocket formation and some bone loss, there is no evidence of abnormal tooth movement.
moderate p.Periodontitis in which moderate bone loss and pocket formation are accompanied by abnormal tooth mobility.