Periodontal Disease - Diagnosis

Dentists can usually diagnose a periodontal disease quite easily. The most important clues are inflamed gums and the presence of an opening between gums and teeth. The specific form of periodontal disease usually depends on the nature of the opening. In gingivitis, the pocket tends to be small and shallow. As the disease progresses, the pocket becomes larger and deeper. Bone loss can be detected on an x-ray photograph.