PAT ch15 Gingival Description

What are the six characteristics assessed when describing the gingiva?

Color, size, position of margin, shape of margins and papillae, texture and consistency, and bleeding and/or exudate.

What color is healthy gingiva?

A uniform pink color; pigmentation is also a normal variation, especially in dark-skinned individuals.

What are disease-related color changes in the gingiva?

Bright red, bluish purple, white, or pale pink.

How does healthy gingiva fit around the tooth in terms of size?

It fits snugly around the tooth.

What size change indicates disease?

Enlargement of the tissue.

Where is the gingival margin positioned in health relative to the CEJ?

Near the cementoenamel junction, about 1 to 2 mm coronal to the CEJ.

What two abnormal margin positions indicate disease?

More than 2 mm coronal to the CEJ, or apical to the CEJ.

What does "coronal to the CEJ" mean?

Located above, or toward the crown from, the cementoenamel junction.

What does "apical to the CEJ" mean?

Located below, or toward the root from, the cementoenamel junction.

What does a healthy marginal gingiva edge look like?

It meets the tooth in a tapered or slightly rounded edge.

What shape changes to the margin indicate disease?

A rolled, thickened, or irregular edge.

What does a healthy interdental papilla look like?

Flat and pointed, completely filling the embrasure space between adjacent teeth.

What are the disease descriptors for papilla shape?

Bulbous, blunted, cratered, or missing.

What is the normal texture of healthy gingiva?

Stippled.

What texture changes indicate disease?

Smooth and shiny (loss of stippling), or firm and nodular (fibrotic).

What is the normal consistency of healthy gingiva?

Firm and resilient under compression.

What consistency changes indicate disease?

Soft and flaccid, spongy and puffy, or leathery and not resilient.

What is exudate?

Pus.

What bleeding findings indicate disease?

Spontaneous bleeding, bleeding upon probing, or heavy bleeding upon probing in acute gingivitis.

What is the difference between marginal, papillary, and diffuse color distribution?

Marginal involves only the gingival margin, papillary involves only the papilla, and diffuse involves both the marginal and papillary tissue.

What does it mean for a finding to be "localized" versus "generalized"?

Localized means the finding is limited to a specific tooth or area; generalized means it is spread throughout the sextant or arch.

What tool is used to identify and record gingival characteristics observed in a sextant?

The Gingival Descriptor Worksheet.

What is the first step in Procedure 15-1, Determining Gingival Characteristics?

Choose one sextant and aspect (facial or lingual), selecting the one with the most visible tissue changes.

What instruments are used to assess texture and consistency during the exam?

Compressed air and a periodontal probe.

How does soft, spongy tissue respond when pressed with a periodontal probe?

It retains the shape of the probe for several seconds.

How does healthy, resilient tissue respond when pressed with a periodontal probe?

It springs back immediately and does not retain the probe's shape.

How does leathery, nodular tissue respond when pressed with a periodontal probe?

It is very firm and does not indent or respond when pressed lightly.

What color pencil is used to draw the location of the gingival margin on the Gingival Characteristics Chart?

Blue pencil.

What is used to indicate areas of gingival recession on the chart?

A yellow highlighter.

Where and in what color are gingival margin findings entered on the chart?

In red pencil, at the root apices.

Where and in what color are papillae findings entered on the chart?

In blue pencil, between the teeth near the root area.

What does the code "S" mean on the Gingival Characteristics Chart key?

Snugly around the tooth.

What does the code "Bb" mean on the Gingival Characteristics Chart key?

Bulbous papilla.

What does the code "Nd" mean on the Gingival Characteristics Chart key?

Nodular texture (fibrotic).

What question should students ask about each fictitious patient case?

Whether there is any connection between the observed gingival characteristics and the patient's health history or drug information.

Why is it important to be able to accurately and concisely describe gingival characteristics?

Because it is an important component of patient assessment and allows accurate communication with the patient and clinical instructors about findings and their implications.