| 1. | Pathology. a discharge of pus. |
| 2. | Also called pyorrhe⋅a al⋅ve⋅o⋅lar⋅is [al-vee-uh-lar-is] , Riggs' disease. Dentistry. a chronic form of periodontitis occurring in various degrees of severity, characterized in its severe forms by the formation of pus in the pockets between the roots of the teeth and their surrounding tissues, and frequently accompanied by the loosening and subsequent loss of the teeth. |
pyorrhea py·or·rhe·a (pī'ə-rē'ə)
n.
Purulent inflammation of the gums and tooth sockets, often leading to loosening of the teeth.
A discharge of pus.