periodontal

[ per-ee-uh-don-tl ]

adjective

, Dentistry.

1. of or relating to the periodontium.
2. of or relating to periodontics.
3. of or relating to the periodontal membrane.

periodontal

/ ˌpɛrɪəˈdɒntəl /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or affecting the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth

   periodontal disease

Word History and Origins

Origin of periodontal¹

First recorded in 1850–55; peri- + -odont + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The women who chewed the gum had less periodontal disease, a condition in which the tissue surrounding the teeth becomes infected and inflamed, compared with those who didn’t get the chewing gum.

From Science News

Studies finding a link between periodontal disease and preterm birth go back a couple of decades.

From Science News