periodontitis

[ per-ee-oh-don-tahy-tis ]

nounDentistry.
  1. inflammation of the periodontium caused by bacteria that infect the roots of teeth and the surrounding gum crevices, producing bleeding, pus formation, and gradual loss of bone and the tissues that support the teeth.: Compare pyorrhea (def. 2).

Origin of periodontitis

1
First recorded in 1870–75; periodont(ium) + -itis

Words Nearby periodontitis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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