| periodontal abscess | Localised circumscribed purulent area of inflammation in the periodontal tissue. It is a derivative of marginal periodontitis and commonly associated with suprabony and infrabony pockets and interradicular involvements, in contrast to periapical abscess which is attributable to pulp necrosis. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| periodontal anaesthesia | Anaesthesia of the periodontal ligament, produced by injection of a local anaesthetic drug. (05 Mar 2000) |
| periodontal atrophy | Decrease in size and/or cellular elements of the periodontium after it has reached normal maturity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| periodontal attachment loss | Loss or destruction of periodontal tissue caused by periodontitis or other destructive periodontal diseases or by injury during instrumentation. Attachment refers to the periodontal ligament which attaches to the alveolar bone. It has been hypothesised that treatment of the underlying periodontal disease and the seeding of periodontal ligament cells enable the creating of new attachment. (12 Dec 1998) |
| periodontal cyst | An epithelium-lined sac containing fluid; usually found at the apex of a pulp-involved tooth. The lateral type occurs less frequently along the side of the root. (12 Dec 1998) |
| periodontal disease | <dentistry, disease> A general term that includes all diseases of the gums, teeth and underlying bone. A major cause of tooth loss. See: gingivitis and calculus. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Periodontal Disease Index | An index used for estimating the degree of periodontal disease based on the measurement of six representative teeth for gingival inflammation, pocket depth, calculus and plaque, attrition, mobility, and lack of contact. (05 Mar 2000) |
| periodontal dressings | Surgical dressings, after periodontal surgery, applied to the necks of teeth and the adjacent tissue to cover and protect the surgical wound. (boucher's clinical dental terminology, 4th ed, p218) (12 Dec 1998) |
| periodontal file | An instrument with a series of ridges or points arranged in rows on its surface, used for scaling or removing dental calculus from the teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| periodontal index | A numerical rating scale for classifying the periodontal status of a person or population with a single figure which takes into consideration prevalence as well as severity of the condition. It is based upon probe measurement of periodontal pockets and on gingival tissue status. (12 Dec 1998) |
| periodontal ligament | <anatomy> Fibrous connective tissue surrounding the root of a tooth that separates it from and attaches it to the alveolar bone. (12 Dec 1998) |
| periodontal ligament fibres | The collagen fibre's, running from the cementum to the alveolar bone, that suspend a tooth in its socket; they include apical, oblique, horizontal, and alveolar crest fibre's, indicating that the orientation of the fibre's varies at different levels. (05 Mar 2000) |
| periodontal membrane | <anatomy> Fibrous connective tissue surrounding the root of a tooth that separates it from and attaches it to the alveolar bone. (12 Dec 1998) |
| periodontal pocket | An abnormal extension of a gingival sulcus accompanied by the apical migration of the epithelial attachment and bone resorption. (12 Dec 1998) |
| periodontal probe | A calibrated instrument used to measure the depth and topography of periodontal pockets. (05 Mar 2000) |