The diseases collectively termed periodontitis are bacterial infections which begin with inflammation of the periodontium, and can progress to loss of teeth.
Untreated infections lead to destruction of the periodontal ligement and alveolar bone.
These diseases are infectious conditions which may progress over several years with episodes of exacerbation and remission. This page is created and maintained by Drs. Margaret Duncan , Floyd Dewhirst , and Tsute Chen , Department of Molecular Genetics, The Forsyth Institute .