Periodontal disease is the most common problem of all disease processes in cats and dogs. Periodontal disease is infectious, inflammatory and typically progressive. That is why it is important to diagnose and stage periodontal disease to decide on the best treatment options. The two tools that we employ to completely diagnose periodontal disease are dental probing and intraoral radiology.

The bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around the teeth like a turtleneck around the neck. When periodontal disease is present, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth.

Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to live. As bacteria develop around the teeth, they can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue.

These deep pockets collect even more bacteria, resulting in further bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted.

Periodontal disease is staged 1 through 4 (American Veterinary Dental College system)

Stage 1: Gingivitis only without attachment loss. The height and architecture of the tooth socket are normal.

Stage 2: This is early periodontitis where there is less than 25% of attachment loss. The periodontal attachment is measured by probing and x-rays.

Stage 3: Moderate periodontitis, there is 25-50% of attachment loss as measured by probing and x-rays.

Stage 4: Advanced, with more than 50% tooth socket attachment loss and much of the root surface is exposed.