ch 18 The Periodontium - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy of the periodontium, key gingival landmarks, fiber groups, health/disease descriptors, and related clinical terms.

Periodontium

The tissue surrounding and supporting the tooth; consists of gingiva and the attachment apparatus (cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone).

Gingiva

The soft tissue of the periodontium that covers the alveolar bone and surrounds the teeth, including free and attached portions.

Free gingival margin (FGM)

The edge of the free gingiva nearest to the tooth, forming the gingival margin and not bound to underlying bone.

Free gingiva

The portion of gingiva that surrounds the tooth but is not bound to the underlying bone; forms the gingival sulcus with the tooth.

Attached gingiva

The portion of gingiva firmly bound to underlying bone; width varies from 1 to 9 mm and is measured from the free gingival margin to the mucogingival junction.

Gingival sulcus

The shallow groove between the tooth and the free gingiva; normally 0–3 mm deep and lined by sulcular epithelium.

Sulcular epithelium

Lining epithelium of the gingival sulcus.

Junctional epithelium

Epithelium that attaches the gingiva to the tooth at the CEJ and forms the base of the sulcus.

Cementoenamel junction (CEJ)

The junction between enamel of the crown and cementum of the root; a key landmark for periodontal measurement.

Cementum

Calcified tissue covering the tooth root; anchors the PDL to the tooth and seals dentinal tubules; normally covered by gingiva.

Alveolar bone

The bone surrounding tooth sockets that supports the teeth and remodels with eruption, orthodontics, and occlusal forces; resorbs after tooth loss.

Periodontal ligament (PDL)

Fibrous connective tissue between cementum and alveolar bone that anchors the tooth and cushions occlusal forces.

Alveolar crest fibers

PDL fibers that run from cementum to the alveolar crest to resist tooth intrusion.

Horizontal fibers

PDL fibers that run horizontally from cementum to bone to resist vertical forces.

Interradicular fibers

PDL fibers located between the roots of multirooted teeth; provide interradicular support.

Oblique fibers

The largest PDL fiber group, running obliquely from cementum to the bone to resist vertical loads.

Apical fibers

PDL fibers that extend from cementum near the apex to the alveolar bone to resist pulling forces.

Dentogingival fibers

PDL fibers connecting cementum to gingiva, aiding gingival attachment and stability.

Dentoperiosteal fibers

PDL fibers that extend from cementum to the periosteum of the bone, helping anchor to bone.

Alveologingival fibers

PDL fibers that connect alveolar bone to gingiva to support gingival tissue.

Circumferential fibers

PDL fibers that wrap around the tooth to help maintain gingival shape.

Interdental papilla

The portion of the gingiva between adjacent teeth that fills the interdental space.

Col

The concave area under the contact point between adjacent teeth; non-keratinized and bridges facial and lingual interdental papillae.

Mucogingival junction (MGJ)

The boundary between attached gingiva and movable alveolar mucosa.

Alveolar bone proper

The bone lining the tooth socket, forming the PDL space.

Lamina dura

The dense cortical bone line surrounding the tooth socket; radiographic landmark of the alveolar bone proper.

PDL space

The space occupied by the periodontal ligament between cementum and the alveolar bone.

Free gingival groove

A shallow groove on the face of the free gingiva marking its boundary with attached gingiva.

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)

Fluid within the gingival sulcus; increases with inflammation and disease.

Bleeding on probing

Bleeding indicating gingival inflammation when probed.

Suppuration

Pus formation within gingival tissues, indicating infection.

Recession

Apical migration of the gingival margin, exposing root surfaces.

Loss of attachment (LOA)

Destruction of the tooth-supporting apparatus (PDL and alveolar bone) leading to attachment loss; clinically measured as CAL.

Healthy gingiva

Gingiva that is pink (or pigmented in some individuals), with knife-edge margins, stippled texture, pointed papilla, firm consistency, and no bleeding.

Color (gingiva)

Color descriptions of gingiva, commonly pink in health and may be pigmented or bluish in some individuals.

Size (gingiva)

Width of the gingiva: free gingiva fits snugly around the tooth; attached gingiva width varies (1–9 mm) and may enlarge with disease.

Shape (gingiva)

Contour of margins and papilla; margins can be knife-edge or rolled; papilla can be pointed, pyramidal, bulbous, cratered, or missing.

Texture (gingiva)

Surface texture; free gingiva is smooth, attached gingiva is stippled.

Consistency (gingiva)

Firm and resilient versus soft or spongy; tells about tissue health.

Position (gingiva)

Location of the gingival margin relative to the CEJ; recession vs hyperplasia.

Gingival description (inflammation signs)

Notes include bleeding and exudate as indicators of gingival inflammation.

Gingival description worksheet term: Exudate

Presence of pus or other fluid in gingival tissues.

Gingival description worksheet term: Papilla shape

Interdental papilla shape can be pointed, bulbous, cratered, or missing.

Clinical measurement landmarks

CEJ, Lamina Dura, Alveolar Bone Proper, Alveolar Crest, PDL Space used for assessing health and disease.