X-ray of Periodontal Disease

This dental xray shows a patient’s dentition which has been affected by periodontal (gum) disease. The overall reduced height of the alveolar bone in relation to the cementoenamel junction (where the crown portion of the tooth meets the root) shows bone loss, thus previous active periodontal (gum) disease. The green dots denote the ideal bone levels in a healthy young adult, while the purple dots denote the current bone levels in this particular patient. This type of bone loss affecting all the teeth, is said to be ‘generalised’ as opposed to bone loss affecting a few sites, known as ‘localised’. The presence of calculus, seen on the dental xray has irregular small lumps on the root surface, are denoted by the yellow rings. These imply inadequate oral hygiene, one of many predisposing factors to periodontal disease.