Disease or Syndrome
periodontitis Audio
per·i·o·don·ti·tis [ per-ee-oh-don-tahy-tis ]
Subclass of:
Periodontal Diseases
Also called:
Pyorrhea
Definitions related to periodontitis:
  • An acute or chronic inflammatory process that affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • An advanced stage of gum disease that attacks the teeth's supporting structures.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • Inflammation and loss of connective tissues supporting or surrounding the teeth. This may involve any part of the PERIODONTIUM. Periodontitis is currently classified by disease progression (CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS; AGGRESSIVE PERIODONTITIS) instead of age of onset. (From 1999 International Workshop for a Classification of Periodontal Diseases and Conditions, American Academy of Periodontology)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Inflammation of the periodontium.
    Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)
    The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2025
  • Inflammatory reaction of the tissues surrounding a tooth (periodontium), usually resulting from the extension of gingival inflammation into the periodontium.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory oral disease that progressively destroys the tooth-supporting apparatus. It usually manifests as a worsening of gingivitis and then, if untreated, with loosening and loss of teeth. Other symptoms are rare except in patients with HIV infection or in whom abscesses develop, in which case pain and...
    Merck Manuals
    Merck & Co., Inc., 2025
  • Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.
    Mayo Clinic
    Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2025
  • Periodontitis, inflammation of the soft tissues around the teeth, characterized by swollen, tender gums, that may lead to the eventual loss of teeth. Periodontitis begins with the deposition of bacterial plaque on the teeth below the gum line, irritating and eroding the neighbouring tissues. At...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
Try this search on: Farlex, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary, or Wordnik

This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.