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periodontitis

American

[per-ee-oh-don-tahy-tis] / ˌpɛr i oʊ dɒnˈtaɪ tɪs /

noun

Dentistry.

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.

Etymology

Origin of periodontitis

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

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.

Reviews of apical periodontitis emphasize how frequently these infections go unnoticed.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Older adults who met recommended lycopene intake levels had roughly one third the odds of severe periodontitis compared with those whose intake was insufficient.

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026

Untreated apical periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, but its effects extend beyond the mouth.

From Science Daily • Oct. 26, 2025

One of the chief bacterial culprits behind periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis, which colonizes biofilms on tooth surfaces and proliferates in deep periodontal pockets.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

The infection may spread from the tooth to the alveolo-dental periosteum, and set up a periodontitis.

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023