Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "periodontal" [per•i•o•don•tal]

  • Surrounding or encasing a tooth: a periodontal ligament. (adjective)
  • Relating to or affecting tissue and structures surrounding and supporting the teeth. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "periodontal" in a sentence
  • "The first is, do scale and polish procedures [having your teeth cleaned] lead to any difference in periodontal health compared with no scale and polish?"
  • "But if it has bad breath, it is a likely sign of dental disease—including tartar buildup, gingivitis and a chronic infection called periodontal disease, veterinarians say."
  • "Pregnant women with gum disease, also called periodontal disease, are known to have more preemies than women with healthy gums."
Words like "periodontal"