Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease

6 Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease





Clients often ask, “Why does my pet have periodontal disease when all the pets I have had in the past had no dental problems?” Many factors determine the reason one patient develops periodontal disease and another does not (Box 6-1). These factors are as follows: age, species, breed, genetics, chewing behavior, diet, grooming habits (which can cause impaction of hair around the tooth and in the gingival sulcus), orthodontic occlusion, health status, home care, frequency of professional dental care, and bacterial flora of the oral cavity.




Periodontal Disease


Periodontal disease is an inflammation and infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth, collectively called the periodontium (Figure 6-1). Periodontal disease is characterized by movement of the gingival margin toward the apex (exposing more crown and root) and migration of the attached gingiva with associated loss of the periodontal ligament and bone surrounding the tooth. An older term, pyorrhea, which indicates discharge of pus from the periodontium, is no longer used.





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Oct 9, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL | Comments Off on Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease

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