Dentistry · Oral & Dental · Easy
Periodontitis
Meaning: Serious gum infection that destroys the ligament and bone holding teeth in place, eventually causing them to loosen.
In practice: Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes both raise the risk of periodontitis and early tooth loss.
Word parts
- peri- means around
- -itis means inflammation
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related dentistry words.
Which word means: Describes the first set of baby teeth that are shed and replaced by permanent teeth.
Answer: Deciduous
Which word means: Minor surgical procedure to cut or remove a fold of tissue tethering the lip or tongue.
Answer: Frenectomy
Words like periodontitis come up in the daily game
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