Periodontium

The tissues of the periodontium combine to form an active, dynamic group of tissues. The alveolar bone (C) is surrounded for the most part by the subepithelial connective tissue of the gingiva, which in turn is covered by the various characteristic gingival epithelia. The cementum overlaying the tooth root (B) is attached to the adjacent cortical surface of the alveolar bone by the alveolar crest (I), horizontal (J) and oblique (K) fibers of the periodontal ligament.

Periodontium refers to the specialized tissues that both surround and support the teeth, maintaining them in the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word comes from the Greek terms peri-, meaning "around" and -odons, meaning "tooth." Literally taken, it means that which is "around the tooth". Periodontics is the dental specialty that relates specifically to the care and maintenance of these tissues.

The following four tissues make up the periodontium:

• Alveolar bone
• Cementum
• Gingiva or gums
• Periodontal ligament

v • d • e Periodontology and Implant Dentistry
Tissues of the periodontium and their physiologic entities	Alveolar bone - Biologic width - Cementum - Free gingival margin - Gingiva - Gingival fibers - Gingival sulcus - Junctional epithelium - Mucogingival junction - Periodontal ligament - Sulcular epithelium - Stippling
Pathogenesis	A. actinomycetemcomitans - B. forsythus - Capnocytophaga sp. - F. nucleatum - P. gingivalis - P. intermedia - T. denticola
Pathologic entities	Calculus - Edentulism - Fremitus - Gingival enlargement - Gingival pocket - Gingivitis - Horizontal bony defect - Occlusal trauma - Periodontal pocket - Periodontal disease - Plaque - Recession - Vertical bony defect
Diagnosis, treatment planning, prevention and chemotherapeutic agents	Brushing - Bleeding on probing - Chlorhexidine gluconate - Flossing - Hydrogen peroxide - Mouthwash - Oral hygiene - Tetracycline - Triclosan
Periodontal armamentarium	Curette - Membrane - Probe - Scaler
Conventional therapy	Debridement - Scaling and root planing
Surgical therapy and periodontal surgery	Apically positioned flap - Bone graft - Coronally positioned flap - Crown lengthening - Flap debridement - Free gingival graft - Gingivectomy - Guided bone regeneration - Guided tissue regeneration - Implant Placement - Lateral pedicle graft - Pocket reduction surgery - Sinus lift - Subepithelial connective tissue graft
Other specialties	Endodontology - Orthodontology - Prosthodontology

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