Periodontology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the periodontium, the organ that supports natural teeth, consisting of alveolar bone, root cementum, periodontal ligament, and gums.

The causes of periodontal disease are bacterial, traumatic, and metabolic. Periodontal disease can be divided into a more superficial disease called gingivitis and a deep periodontal disease called periodontitis. Poor oral hygiene quickly causes superficial inflammation of the gums, which then leads to periodontal disease with the formation of periodontal pockets in which very aggressive bacteria nest, destroying the bone supporting the teeth. Abnormal chewing loads in terms of force and direction, when combined with the loss of bone support, contribute to the migration of the teeth, resulting in a loss of reciprocity between the two arches. General metabolic problems, by altering the reactive capacity of the periodontal tissues, can contribute to worsening the disease.