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periodontal

American  
[per-ee-uh-don-tl] / ˌpɛr i əˈdɒn tl /

adjective

Dentistry.
  1. of or relating to the periodontium.

  2. of or relating to periodontics.

  3. of or relating to the periodontal membrane.


periodontal British  
/ ˌpɛrɪəˈdɒntəl /

adjective

  1. of, denoting, or affecting the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth

    periodontal disease

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of periodontal

First recorded in 1850–55; peri- + -odont + -al 1

Explanation

The adjective periodontal describes anything having to do with the parts of a human mouth that support and surround the teeth. To maintain your periodontal health, don't forget to gently brush your gums! Periodontal literally means "around the tooth," from Greek roots peri-, "around," and odon, "tooth." Mostly, this word refers to gums; periodontal disease is often simply called "gum disease." But the periodontal region of your mouth also includes the bone that holds your tooth sockets and the tiny ligaments that keep your teeth in those sockets. A periodontal specialist is a dentist who pays closer attention to your gums than your teeth.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing periodontal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Simply put, with this model, periodontal disease is artificially induced by ligating silk threads onto the molars of mice models, which induces plaque accumulation.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

Work we have done with our collaborators has shown that treating plaque samples from periodontal disease patients with 6.5 mmol of nitrate increased healthy bacteria levels and reduced acidity.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2024

Some experts think nicotine deteriorates gum tissue, which could lead to periodontal disease, said Irfan Rahman, a researcher at the University of Rochester Medicine who has studied nicotine pouches.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2024

Among 157 metabolic measures, increased periodontal probing depth associated with 93, bleeding on probing with 88, and periodontal inflammation burden with 77 measures.

From Science Daily • Nov. 16, 2023

A periodontal abscess of one of the upper central incisors spreads backwards between the muco-periosteum and the bony palate, causing an elongated swelling in the roof of the mouth.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander