title: Periodontal diseases: a review.
abstract: Periodontal diseases are a collection of disorders that may affect patients throughout life. The most common form of periodontal disease, gingivitis, which affects only the soft tissues, is seen in children, adolescents, and adults. Periodontitis, which destroys the bone supporting a tooth, is found more commonly in adults over the age of thirty-five but may be present in a variety of forms in children after three years of age. These diseases are caused by bacterial plaque but may be modulated by systemic diseases, immunologic compromise, heredity, and other contributing factors. Periodontal pathoses may be an indication of an underlying systemic condition such as leukemia or human immunodeficiency virus infection. The standard treatment of periodontal diseases is the control of intraoral plaque. This may be accomplished using mechanical, chemotherapeutic, and surgical means.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Serio
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Siegel
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy