Periodontal
/ˌpɪə.ri.oʊˈdɒn.təl/noun
Relating to the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth.
Did you know?“Periodontal” is built from Greek roots meaning “around” and “tooth,” and that same dental root appears in words like orthodontics and dentist, showing how ancient body-words became modern medical power terms.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
peri
“around, surrounding”
Ancient Greek
Greek
odous / odont-
“tooth”
Late 19th Century
English
periodontal
“relating to the tissues surrounding the teeth”
Modern English
English
periodontal
“relating to the structures around and supporting the teeth”
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