Changes

*[[Periodontal ligament - Anatomy & Physiology|periodontal ligaments]]

*[[Periodontal ligament - Anatomy & Physiology|periodontal ligaments]]

*cementum

*cementum

*[[Alveolar bone - Anatomy & Physiology|alveolar bone]]

*[[Alveolar Bone|alveolar bone]]

It is the most common dental disease in dogs and cats and the major cause of tooth loss in both species. There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation of the disease but the primary agent is dental plaque. Plaque accumulates at the gingival margin, partly due to insufficient oral hygiene.  

It is the most common dental disease in dogs and cats and the major cause of tooth loss in both species. There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation of the disease but the primary agent is dental plaque. Plaque accumulates at the gingival margin, partly due to insufficient oral hygiene.  

*'''Gingivitis''' - Reversible inflammation of the marginal gingival tissues that does not affect the periodontal ligament or the alveolar bone.

*'''Gingivitis''' - Reversible inflammation of the marginal gingival tissues that does not affect the periodontal ligament or the alveolar bone.

*'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the [[Oral Cavity - Teeth & Gingiva - Anatomy & Physiology|gingiva]], [[Periodontal ligament - Anatomy & Physiology|periodontal ligament]], [[Alveolar bone - Anatomy & Physiology|alveolar bone]] and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque acculmulation and gingivitis. The epithelial attachments of the tooth regress apically and there is absorption of the associated [[Alveolar bone - Anatomy & Physiology|alveolar bone]], resulting in permanent loss of tooth support.

*'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the [[Oral Cavity - Teeth & Gingiva - Anatomy & Physiology|gingiva]], [[Periodontal ligament - Anatomy & Physiology|periodontal ligament]], [[Alveolar Bone|alveolar bone]] and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque acculmulation and gingivitis. The epithelial attachments of the tooth regress apically and there is absorption of the associated [[Alveolar Bone|alveolar bone]], resulting in permanent loss of tooth support.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

*widening of the periodontal space

*widening of the periodontal space

*loss of the lamina dura (cortical bone of the alveolus)

*loss of the lamina dura (cortical bone of the alveolus)

*[[Alveolar bone - Anatomy & Physiology|alveolar bone]] destruction  

*[[Alveolar Bone|alveolar bone]] destruction  

==Treatment==

==Treatment==