The gingiva (or gums) is the tissue that surrounds and protects the teeth and underlying bone. The gingiva is attached to the tooth, forming a seal that protects the underlying bone and helps provide a barrier against infection.
Contents
- 1 What is gingiva?
- 2 What does the gingiva protect?
- 3 What are the characteristics of gingiva?
- 4 Why is the gingiva important?
- 5 What is alveolar mucosa?
- 6 What is the alveolar process?
- 7 What is the clinical significance of the gingival sulcus?
- 8 Why gingiva is coral pink in color?
- 9 What is the shape of gingiva?
- 10 Why gingiva is scalloped?
- 11 Is alveolar mucosa part of gingiva?
What is gingiva?
(JIN-jih-vuh) The tissue of the upper and lower jaws that surrounds the base of the teeth. Also called gums. Enlarge. Anatomy of the oral cavity.
What does the gingiva protect?
The outer layer of the tooth gradually changes from cementum to dental enamel near the neck of the tooth. The gums (gingiva) cover and protect the ligament and the neck of the tooth, and are usually the only visible part of the periodontium. The gums fit tightly around the teeth like a collar.
What are the characteristics of gingiva?
Healthy gingiva is described as ‘ salmon’ or ‘coral pink’. It may be pigmented, which reflects the ethnic origin of the subject. The gingiva is firm in consistency and firmly attached to the underlying alveolar bone. The surface of gingiva is keratinised and may exhibit an orange peel appearance, called ‘stippling’.
Why is the gingiva important?
Gingiva (i.e., gums) is the tissue that surrounds and protects teeth, along with the underlying bone. Gums attach to the teeth, forming a seal that protects the underlying bone and provides a barrier against infection.
What is alveolar mucosa?
Alveolar mucosa is the soft, thin mucous membrane that sits above the marginal gingiva and the attached gingiva, and continues across the floor of the mouth, cheeks, and lips.
What is the alveolar process?
The alveolar process, which is also called the alveolar bone, is the thick ridge of bone which contains the tooth sockets. The alveolar bone is located on the jaw bones which hold the teeth. In humans, these bones that contain the teeth are the maxilla and the mandible.
What is the clinical significance of the gingival sulcus?
Gingival sulcus: V-shaped crevice that surrounds each tooth, bounded by tooth on one side and epithelium lining free margin of gingiva on the other. Sulcus is ideal for bacteria; it is resistant to the cleaning action of saliva. Gingival fluid (sulcular fluid) is a rich nutrient source for microorganisms.
Why gingiva is coral pink in color?
What color is the human gingiva? It is frequently described as “coral pink” and is dependent upon the thickness of epithelium, the degree of keratinization, the magnitude of pigmentation, and the underlying vascularization1.
What is the shape of gingiva?
Gingival embrasure is the interproximal space beneath the area of tooth contact. 13. It is of two shape pyramidal and ”col” shape. ”col” is a valley like depression that connects a facial and lingual papilla.
Why gingiva is scalloped?
Thin gingival tissue is associated with a thin band of the keratinized tissue, scalloped gingival contour suggestive of thin bony architecture and is more sensitive to inflammation and trauma.
Is alveolar mucosa part of gingiva?
There are two types of gingiva and several important anatomic regions. Alveolar mucosa – The area of tissue beyond the mucogingival junction. Attached gingiva – This tissue is adjacent to the free gingiva and is keratinized and firmly attached to the bone structure. It can range from 3-12 mm in height.
