Broadly, any discharge of pus, but usually referring to periodontitis or Pyorrhea alveolaris, with inflammatory and degenerative conditions in the gums, jaw bone and cementum. There may be alveolar bone resorption, teeth loss and receding gums...and hefty dental and oral surgery bills. These costs may be valid, but there is some thought in some radical dental circles that there is overdiagnosis of the condition.