periodontics

noun

peri·​odon·​tics ˌper-ē-ō-ˈdän-tiks How to pronounce periodontics (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
: 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
periodontist
ˌper-ē-ō-ˈdän-tist How to pronounce periodontics (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

New Latin periodontium periodontal tissue, from peri- + Greek odont-, odous, odōn tooth — more at tooth

First Known Use

circa 1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of periodontics was circa 1944

Dictionary Entries Near periodontics

periodontal membrane

periodontics

periodontitis

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Periodontics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodontics. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

periodontics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction
peri·​odon·​tics -ˈdänt-iks How to pronounce periodontics (audio)
: a branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the supporting and investing structures of the teeth including the gums, cementum, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone

called also periodontia, periodontology

More from Merriam-Webster on periodontics

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about periodontics

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...