Riggs' disease, also known as pyorrhea of a toothsocket or gingivitis expulsiva, is a purulent inflammation of the dental periosteum named after American dentist John W. Riggs (1811–1885).[1]
Riggs' disease produces the progressive necrosis of the alveoli and looseness of the teeth. The teeth may become very loose and fall out of the sockets.
Mark Twain wrote briefly about Riggs' disease in his short essay, Happy Memories of the Dental Chair, in which he claims to have been examined by Dr. Riggs himself.[2]