pyorrhea

American  

[pahy-uh-ree-uh] / ˌpaɪ əˈri ə /

Or pyorrhoea

noun

1. Pathology. a discharge of pus.

2. Also called Riggs' disease.  Also called pyorrhea alveolaris.  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.

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Other Word Forms

• pyorrheal adjective
• pyorrheic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pyorrhea

First recorded in 1785–90; from New Latin; pyo-, -rrhea

Example Sentences

If such is the case why could not the existence of pyorrhea and blind abscesses about the roots of the teeth be the source of the toxic factors mentioned by Fischer?

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Terriberry suffered from pyorrhea, and the row of upper teeth which he now displayed in a genial grin looked like a garden-rake, due to his shrinking gums.

From Project Gutenberg

Where Rigg's disease, or pyorrhea, is present, an antiseptic can be used to advantage two or three times daily after rubbing or washing the teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

A medical man called upon him for treatment for pyorrhea alveolaris; the patient was also afflicted with catarrh.

From Project Gutenberg

The most frequent kind of such infection is pyorrhea alveolaris.

From Project Gutenberg