Final answer:
The incorrect characteristic of chronic periodontitis is that it occurs before 35 years of age; it typically affects older adults with severity that increases with age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of chronic periodontitis that is NOT accurate is D. Occurs before 35 years of age. Chronic periodontitis typically is most prevalent in adults, and its severity tends to increase with age, meaning that it is more commonly observed in older populations rather than occurring before the age of 35. It is indeed characterized by inflammation of the supporting structures of the teeth (B), and over time it leads to the destruction of the periodontal ligament and loss of adjacent bone as the disease progresses (C).Chronic periodontitis starts with inflammation and can result in irritation and bleeding of the gums, known as gingivitis. If left untreated, it can progress to the more severe condition of periodontitis, which is marked by the recession of gums, erosion of cementum, and in advanced stages, movement or loss of teeth and erosion of jaw bones.