Periodontology, or periodontics, is the branch of dentistry which studies the supporting structures of teeth, known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligaments. The word comes from the Greek words peri meaning around and odons meaning tooth. Literally taken, it means study of that which is "around the tooth".

A periodontist is a dentist that specialises in treating diseases of the periodontium .

Periodontal diseases take on many different forms, but is usually a result of bacterial infection of the gums. Untreated, it often leads to tooth loss and alveolar bone loss.

A tooth is surrounded by two types of tissue. The first is gingiva (gum), which is pink, thick and dense. It is also called keratinized tissue. Gingiva forms a tight seal around the tooth which serves as a barrier against the penetration of bacteria to the underlying bone. The gingiva also helps to withstand trauma from brushing, eating, etc. The other type of tissue, mucosa, found directly below the gingiva, is red, thin and loose or elastic. It does not seal tightly around the tooth, nor does it withstand trauma well (as shown by how easily you can "scratch" the floor of the mouth).

When gum recession occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When there is only minor recession, some healthy gingiva often remains and protects the tooth, so that no treatment other than gentle oral hygiene is necessary. Recession can be caused by genetically thin bone and gum, overscrubbing or toothbrush bristles that are too stiff, or by clenching and grinding habits.

When recession reaches the mucosa, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost. No matter how meticulously the patient tries to control the bacteria, there is a greater chance of it penetrating and affecting the underlying supporting bone. In addition, gum recession may result in root sensitivity as well as an unsightly appearance to the gum and tooth.

Some people genetically have extremely thin gingiva and require grafting to prevent recession before it starts. This is quite common when orthodontic tooth movement is planned.

A gingival graft is designed to solve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth, or moved over from adjacent areas, to provide a stable band of dense gingiva around the tooth. There is also a new skin graft product that eliminates taking gum from the roof of the mouth.

Curettage is the removal of dead inner tissue from a gum pocket. In dentistry there are different types of curettage procedures and these are outlined below.

This is the removal with a curet (a spoon-shaped instrument for removing material from the wall of a cavity or other surface) of the inflamed tissue wall of a periodontal (area surrounding a tooth) pocket.

This is the removal, with a curet, of diseased soft tissues in the bony area surrounding a tooth root apex and smoothing of the top surface of a tooth without excision of the tooth tip.

This is a slightly different form of gingival curettage.

This is a flap procedure to remove an inflamed periodontal pocket wall and the connective tissue attachment, followed by reattachment of the flap to the teeth.

This is the removal of inflamed tissue from the tooth surface and wall of the gingival fissure with an ultrasonic scaler.