Changes

==Description==  

==Description==  

Periodontal disease is essentially an inflammatory response by the supporting structures of the teeth known as the periodontium. These structures include:

Periodontal disease is essentially an inflammatory response by the supporting structures of the teeth known as the periodontium. These structures include:

*[[Oral Cavity - Teeth & Gingiva - Anatomy & Physiology|gingiva]]

*[[Gingiva Introduction|gingiva]]

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

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

*cementum

*cementum

*'''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|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.

*'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the gingiva, [[Periodontal ligament - Anatomy & Physiology|periodontal ligament]], [[Alveolar Bone|alveolar bone]] and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque accumulation 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==

On visual inspection of the intraoral structures, an animal with periodontitis may demonstrate the following:

On visual inspection of the intraoral structures, an animal with periodontitis may demonstrate the following:

*oral mucosal ulceration

*oral mucosal ulceration

*inflammed and bleeding [[Oral Cavity - Teeth & Gingiva - Anatomy & Physiology|gingiva]]

*inflammed and bleeding gingiva

*loss of normal gingival contour

*loss of normal gingival contour

*purulent discharge from periodontal pocket

*purulent discharge from periodontal pocket