Oral and dental conditions

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth (periodontium) characterized by irreversible destruction of the periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone, and connective tissue attachment. It usually develops as a progression of untreated gingivitis when the inflammatory process extends beyond the gingiva into the deeper periodontal tissues.

It is a severe form of gingivitis and is characterized by rapid destruction of gingival tissue, particularly in the area of the interdental papilla.