Periodontium (excluding alveolar bone) Flashcards
The periodontium is divided into two units. Name the units and their components.
Gingiva: free/marginal, attached, and alveolar mucosa
Attachment Unit: Cementum, PDL, Alveolar Bone
What is the gingival sulcus?
SSE adjacent to tooth / internal surface of marginal gingiva.
How deep is a healthy sulcus
? 2-3 mm (texts say .5 – 2mm but often 3 is present interproximal and it is still considered healthy).
What type of tissue lines the gingival sulcus?
How does this compare to the outer surface of the free gingiva
Nonkeratinized SSE
Keratinized SSE – may also be transition of para to keratinized.
What is the gingival papilla?
Gingiva situated between the teeth.
How is its shape affected?
? Contact areas / embrasures, contour of teeth…
How is inflammation recognized?
Color, contour, consistency…
What is the name of the groove that demarcates the junction of the free gingiva and the attached gingiva?
Free gingival groove.
Where does attached gingiva begin
@ base of sulcus
What causes the stippled effect?
? Attachment of SSE to bone – gingival fibers.
Is stippling found on marginal gingiva?
no
What type of tissue covers the attached gingiva?
Masticatory mucosa (para/keratinized epith and dense lamina propria)
“The darker a person’s skin color, the more likely the gingiva will be darker”. What makes this so?
Pigmentation in epithelium. Melanin in cells.
Is alveolar mucosa lighter or darker in color than the gingiva? Why?
Vascularity makes it ‘redder’ *can see more BV and thinner non k epth.
Briefly describe alveolar mucosa
Nonkeratinized SSE, loose CT with submucosa of fatty tissue / glandular tissue / not bound to bone. Located superficial to alveolar bone.
What line separates the alveolar mucosa from the attached gingiva?
mucogingival
What are Sharpey’s fibers?
Terminal ends of PDL fibers that insert into bone or cementum
What are the transseptal fibers?
Fibers that connect interproximally tooth to tooth / travel over interdental septum. (cementum to cementum) ALSO may be called interdental ligament.
What is the purpose of the circular bundles of connective tissue (CT) fibers which surround the teeth?
Hold marginal gingival tight to tooth
What is the function of the gingival fibers?
As in 13 + helps to prevent displacement of gingiva / Also supports the JE attachment apparatus
What is cementum?
Hard tooth tissue covering root surface
Differentiate cellular and acellular cementum and the significance of these differences.
Recall structural differences! Cellular-cells trapped, apical ½, thicker than acellular. Acellular-coronal ½ - 1/3, thinner, does not get thicker over time.
How does cementum form?
Cells-cementoblasts = cementoid 1st, layer upon layer – inner layers mineralize 1st.
What will influence growth activity of cementum?
Changes in occlusal function, trauma, etc.
