Which one of the following terms is used to describe a disease condition involving the inflammation of the supporting structures of the tooth?

The term that describes a disease condition involving the inflammation of the supporting structures of the tooth is periodontitis. This condition affects the gums, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, which are essential for maintaining tooth stability and health. Periodontitis typically arises from untreated gingivitis, which is more of a localized inflammation of the gums alone.

In periodontitis, the inflammation progresses deeper into the tissues, leading to the loss of supporting bone and possibly resulting in tooth mobility or loss. It is characterized by symptoms such as swollen gums, bad breath, and potential periodontal pockets that form due to the loss of attachment of the tooth to the gum.

The other options provided do not encompass the full range of inflammation of the supporting structures. Apical abscess refers specifically to an infection at the root tip of a tooth, which is more localized rather than affecting the overall supporting structures. Dental caries is the process of decay affecting the tooth structure itself, and gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease that does not typically involve deeper structures. Therefore, periodontitis is the correct term for this specific inflammatory condition.