Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the supporting and investing structures of the teeth including the gums, cementum, periodontal membranes, and alveolar bone. The word Periodontal literally means “around the tooth.”
Periodontal (gum) disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. These are serious infections that can, if untreated, lead to tooth loss.