What condition can destroy alveolar bone?

Periodontal disease is a significant condition that can lead to the destruction of alveolar bone. This disease affects the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth. In periodontal disease, inflammation and infection can occur, leading to the breakdown of the periodontal ligament and the adjacent bone. As the disease progresses, it can cause the loss of alveolar bone, which is crucial for tooth stability.

The other options do not directly cause bone destruction. For instance, while cementum exposure refers to the exposure of the tooth's cementum layer due to gum recession, it does not lead to the destruction of alveolar bone itself. Tooth discoloration, on the other hand, is typically a cosmetic concern related to the outer appearance of the tooth and does not have an impact on the underlying bone. Similarly, soft tissue inflammation primarily affects the gums and surrounding tissues without necessarily leading to bone loss unless it escalates to periodontal disease. Thus, periodontal disease is clearly identified as a primary cause of alveolar bone destruction.