Gingival Connective Tissue

Question 1

What is the Lamina Propria?

Answer 1

The dense connective tissue beneath the masticatory mucosa.

Question 2

What two layers make up the lamina propria?

Answer 2

1) papillary layer: finger like projections (rete pegs)

2) reticular layer: located beneath rete ridges

Question 3

Name the major gingival fibers? (CADD)

Answer 3

Circular group
Alveologingival group
Dentogingival group
Dentoperiostal group

Question 4

Name the minor gingival fiber groups? (PIIIST)

Answer 4

Periosteogingival
interpapillary
intercircular
intergingival
semicircular
transgingival

Question 5

What cellular elements are found gingival CT?

Answer 5

65% (mainly collagen) fibers
5% cells
Remainder: proteoglycans, glycoproteins

Question 6

What immune cells are found in the gingival CT?

Answer 6

Langerhan cells
Mast cells
Eosinophils
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Plasma cells
PMNs

Question 7

Fibers found in gingival CT?

Answer 7

Collagen
  - type 1 (majority)
  - type 3 
Elastic fibers
  - Oxytalan fibers

Question 8

What fibers intermingle to form the PDL?

Answer 8

Sharpey’s fibers

Question 9

What is the attachment apparatus?

Answer 9

PDL + cementum + alveolar bone

Question 10

Functions of PDL

Answer 10

Suspend tooth
Pressure and pain sensory
Provide nutrients
Builds cementum and alveolar bone

Question 11

General thickness of PDL?

Answer 11

0.1 - 0.25 mm

Thinner in non-functional teeth

Question 12

Where are larger bundle fibers found in the PDL less abundant?

Answer 12

Bone surface rather than cemental surface

Question 13

What are the PDL fibers? (IHATOA)

Answer 13

Interradicular
Horizontal
Alveolar Crest
Transseptal 
Oblique
Apical

Question 14

Connective tissue cells in PDL?

Answer 14

Fibroblasts
Cementoblasts/clasts
Osteoblasts/clasts
Epithelial rest cells: rest cells of Malassez

Question 15

Histological features of periodontium?

Answer 15

Acellular cementum (primary)
Cellular cementum (secondary)
CEJ (60-65%, 30%, 5-10%)

Question 16

Bone types in jaw? (superficial to deep)

Answer 16

Alveolar bone proper (cribiform plate)
Cancelous bone
Cortical bone (dense bone)
Periosteum

Question 17

What type of bone houses the root of the tooth?

Answer 17

Alveolar bone proper

Question 18

What type of bone forms the hard outside wall of jaws on facial and lingual?

Answer 18

Cortical bone

Question 19

Cortical bone is thickest and thinnest where?

Answer 19

Thickest- molars

Thinnest- incisor, canine, premolar

Question 20

What are the three sources of vascular supply to a tooth?

Answer 20

1) apical vessels
2) Penetration through alveolar bone
3) Anastomosis from the gingiva

Question 21

What are common causes for pigmentation?

Answer 21

Genetic
iatrogenic mechanisms (amalgam tattoo)
local irritants
UV exposure
Hyperplasia
Medical disorders

Question 22

Pigmentation can be categorized in what two ways?

Answer 22

Diffuse & Bilateral or Focal

Question 23

Focal pigmentation likely means?

Answer 23

Melanoma, amalgam tatoo, abnormal growth

Question 24

Diffuse or bilateral pigmentation likely means?

Answer 24

genetic (physiologic), Drug induced, Systemic

Question 25

Where are melanocytes located?

Answer 25

Found in the stratum basale and the suprabasal stratum spinosum

Question 26

Smokers melanosis occurs by what mechanism?

Answer 26

Melanocytes stimulated by nicotine.