Periodontitis (aka pyorrhea) is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium (i.e. tissues that surround and support the teeth).

• Gingivitis, is its early stage, where the gums become swollen and red, and may bleed
• Involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth
• Caused by microorganisms that hadhere to and grow on the tooth's surfaces, along w/ an over-aggressive immune response against these microorganisms

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Family Hx
• Certain Rx

• Inspecting the soft gum tissues around the teeth w/ a probe (i.e. clinical exam). Measuring disease progression is carried out by measuring probing PD, and bleeding indices using a probe. PD's >3mm in depth are considered unhealthy. BoP is considered a sign of active disease
• X-ray films, to determine the amount of bone loss around the teeth
• CPITN/PSR:
  • 0: Healthy periodontium    (PD<3.5mm)
  • 1: Bleeding/ Plaque present    (PD<3.5mm)
  • 2: Calculus detected    (PD<3.5mm)
  • 3= Probing depth    4-5mm
  • 4= Probing depths    6mm

• Good OHI, including daily brushing and flossing
• Regular professional teeth cleaning
• In certain cases, abx or dental surgery may be recommended

• Discharge of pus, involvement of root furcation area, and deeper pocketing may indicate reduced prognosis for an individual tooth
• Gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or fall out
• If left untreated, can cause loosening and subsequent loss of teeth
• It is considered the main cause of tooth loss for adults worldwide
• Bad breath may also occur

• Gum disease