Periodontal Disease

Question 1

Periodontium

Answer 1

Supporting structures of the tooth
* periodontal ligament
* gingiva
* alveolar bone (tooth socket)
* cementum covering root

Question 2

Gingivitis

Answer 2

Inflammation of the gingiva
* earliest stage of periodontal disease
* reversible with treatment/home care

Question 3

Periodontitis

Answer 3

Inflammation of ALL structures of periodontium
* difficult to reverse
* most common disease in animals
* can have different degrees throughout mouth

Question 4

Plaque

Answer 4

White/tan film that collects in and around the sulcus
* starts to mineralize within 24 hours (becomes calculus)

Question 5

Calculus or Tartar

Answer 5

Mineralized plaque
* light brown/yellow
* sticks to tooth and root surfaces
* amount does not always indicate degree of disease

Question 6

Stage 1 Periodontal Disease

Answer 6

Gingivitis Only
* plaque accumulation
* no attachment loss
* no bone loss (radiograph)

Question 7

Stage 2 Periodontal Disease

Answer 7

Early Periodontitis
* bleeding gums with probe
* calculus
* <25% attachment and bone loss
* stage 1 furcation

Question 8

Stage 2 on Radiographs

Answer 8

Bone is “fuzzy”
* should be sharp
* fuzziness means loss of mineralization

Question 9

Stage 3 Periodontal Disease

Answer 9

Moderate Periodontitis
* 25-50% attachment and bone loss
* stage 2 furcation

Question 10

Stage 4 Periodontal Disease

Answer 10

Advanced Periodontitis
* deep infected pockets
* >50% attachment and bone loss
* stage 3 furcation
* severe halitosis

Question 11

Root Canal

Answer 11

Perform for long-standing infection
* removes entire pulp
* canal is filed, cleaned and filled