Which description best characterizes periodontitis?

Which description best characterizes periodontitis?

• A. Gingiva only
• B. Gingiva, PDL, cementum, and alveolar bone
• C. Alveolar bone only
• D. PDL only

Answer: (B)

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects all the tissues that support teeth, not just the gums. When it progresses, the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone can be involved. This reflects the destruction of the attachment apparatus and bone loss that characterizes periodontitis, which distinguishes it from gingivitis that involves only the gingival tissue. So the description that includes gingiva, PDL, cementum, and alveolar bone best captures the scope of periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects all the tissues that support teeth, not just the gums. When it progresses, the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone can be involved. This reflects the destruction of the attachment apparatus and bone loss that characterizes periodontitis, which distinguishes it from gingivitis that involves only the gingival tissue. So the description that includes gingiva, PDL, cementum, and alveolar bone best captures the scope of periodontitis.