Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is a progressive, on-going, destructive disease that affects 85% of dogs over 3 years of age. The majority of dogs and cats greater than 3 years of age require some form of intervention or treatment.

Periodontal disease encompasses the inflammation, infection and subsequent destruction of the periodontium or the supporting structures of the tooth. It has traditionally been divided into two general categories, gingivitis and periodontitis, based upon whether attachment loss has occurred.

Gingivitis is the presence of gingival inflammation without loss of connective tissue attachment (no pathological periodontal pocket).

Periodontitis can be defined as gingival inflammation at sites where there has also been loss of attached gingiva and destruction of the periodontal ligament. This damage to the periodontal ligament leads to an irreversible destruction of underlying alveolar bone.

Periodontal disease is a continuum of stages beginning with inflammation of the free gingival margin (gingivitis) and resulting in advanced periodontitis and tooth loss.

Article courtesy of Pfizer

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