What is periodontitis?

What is periodontitis?

• A. A reversible gingival inflammation.
• B. Irreversible destruction of the periodontium, with alveolar bone loss.
• C. A viral infection of the gums.
• D. An inflammation limited to gingival papillae.

Answer: (B)

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the supporting tissues of the teeth—the periodontal ligament, cementum, and especially the alveolar bone. Its defining feature is irreversible destruction of these attachments, leading to loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone, and often pocket formation. This is what sets periodontitis apart from gingivitis, which involves inflammation limited to the gingiva and is reversible. In periodontitis, the damage extends into the attachment apparatus, resulting in bone loss that can be seen radiographically and clinically as pockets, recession, and tooth mobility. Treatment aims to control the infection and halt progression, with possible regeneration of some lost tissues, though complete reversal of bone loss is not typically achievable.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the supporting tissues of the teeth—the periodontal ligament, cementum, and especially the alveolar bone. Its defining feature is irreversible destruction of these attachments, leading to loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone, and often pocket formation. This is what sets periodontitis apart from gingivitis, which involves inflammation limited to the gingiva and is reversible. In periodontitis, the damage extends into the attachment apparatus, resulting in bone loss that can be seen radiographically and clinically as pockets, recession, and tooth mobility. Treatment aims to control the infection and halt progression, with possible regeneration of some lost tissues, though complete reversal of bone loss is not typically achievable.