Gingiva Flashcards
What is it
(gums) a continuous layer of specialised epithelium found only in the oral cavity, which is firmly attached to the underlying alveolar bone as a mucoperiosteal layer of tissue
this layer is raised as a flap during oral surgical procedures, to expose the bone below
Attached gingiva
that covering the majority of the alveolar process, which is firmly attached to the underlying bone as the mucoperiosteum
Marginal gingiva
that forming the gingival margin of teeth, which is free from the underlying bone + follows the shape of each tooth in the arch, as well as extending between the teeth in contact areas. the level at which these two areas meet is called the free gingival groove
Junctional tissues
the specialised gingival tissue lying within the gingival crevice + forming the anatomical junction between the teeth + the oral epithelium - this point is called the junctional attachment, + the tissues are called the junctional epithelium
The junctional attachment
is the point where the integrity of the periodontium has to be maintained in order to avoid the devastation of periodontal disease, + the resultant tooth loss that can occur.
Also
it provides a mechanical barrier between the oral cavity + the deeper periodontal tissues, preventing microorganisms from gaining entry + causing disease
During a periodontal examination
the gingival crevice should be less than 3mm deep when probed, with the periodontal probe contacting the junctional attachment at its deepest point
the properties:
1
the gingivae fit around the neck of every tooth like a tight cuff, when healthy
2
the gingival crevice exists as a shallow space of less that 3mm between the tooth surface + gingival margin, + contains the junctional epithelium
3
a natural mound of gingival tissue occurs between each tooth + is called the interdental papilla
4
in health, the gingivae are pink in colour with a stippled surface, like orange peel
5
inflammation of the gingivae is called gingivitis; it affects the marginal gingivae + occurs in the presence of dental plaque due to poor oral hygiene control
6
gingivitis appears as red + shiny gingivae that are swollen due to their inflammation, + they bleed easily on touching - either during tooth brushing or during dental examination
7
the swollen appearance of the inflamed gingivae presents as ‘false pockets’ when probed, giving the impression that the gingival crevice is deeper than 3mm - in fact the junctional attachment is still present + the underlying periodontal tissues are unaffected by the inflamed condition of the gingivae
8
the gingiva can also be stimulated to overgrow + become hyper plastic as a side-effect of various drugs being taken by pt including some antihypertensives (such as nifedipine) + some drugs used to control epilepsy (such as phenytoin)
