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Showing results for periodontal. Search instead for periodontals.

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.

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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.

See Examples For:

To further investigate the possible connection between periodontal disease and CAVS, the research team has already launched a clinical study in people.

From Science Daily Jul. 13, 2026

The researchers plan to next examine how bacterial signaling differs across various regions of the mouth and among patients at different stages of periodontal disease.

From Science Daily Dec. 16, 2025

"Different antimicrobial mouthwashes, whether available over-the-counter or on prescription, can be used in the management of gingivitis, dental caries, periodontal diseases, halitosis, etc."

From Science Daily Dec. 8, 2025

This strategy expanded the range of bone loss without causing severe bone destruction around the second molar, increasing the yield of the different types of periodontal tissue.

From Science Daily May 21, 2024

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

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