Dental caries and periodontitis: contrasting two infections that have medical implications

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2007 Jun;21(2):471-502, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2007.03.006.

Abstract

Both dental decay and periodontal disease are diagnosable and treatable bacterial infections. They are distinctly different infections, with dental decay occurring on the supragingival surfaces of the teeth and periodontal infections occurring in the gingival tissue approximating the subgingival plaque. The bacteria involved and the pathophysiology of these infections are distinctly different.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dental Caries / diagnosis
  • Dental Caries / microbiology*
  • Dental Caries / therapy
  • Humans
  • Periodontitis / diagnosis
  • Periodontitis / microbiology*
  • Periodontitis / therapy