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periodontitis
(per″e-o-don-ti´tis)
inflammation of the periodontium, usually caused by bacteria growing in the spaces between the gum and the lower part of the tooth crown, when the mouth of
the host responds to inflammation. Species of Actinomyces are the bacteria most often implicated. If it continues unchecked, the infection will spread to the bone in which the teeth
are rooted, the bone will resorb, and the teeth slowly become detached from their supporting tissues.
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