Periodontal disease

Question 1

Give a definition of periodontal disease

Answer 1

Periodontal disease refers to inflammation and infection of the periodontium (gingiva, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum) due to plaque bacteria and the host’s response to the bacterial insult

Question 2

Give a definition of gingivitis

Answer 2

Gingivitis is reversible, affecting gingiva only

The gingiva may detach from the tooth, creating a periodontal pocket, and a shift occurs in the gingival flora from a gram-positive aerobic to a gram-negative anaerobic spectrum

Question 3

What is periodontitis

Answer 3

Periodontitis is the more severe form of periodontal disease, affecting all periodontal tissues and resulting in attachment loss, gingival recession, furcation exposure, periodontal pocket formation, and alveolar bone loss
- alveolar bone loss is usually irreversible, causing the tooth to become mobile and ultimately to exfoliate