Lecture Notes: Oral Anatomy - Gingival Features

Key Terms:

• Gingival Margin:

  • The outline of the gum.
  • Acts as the boundary of the gingiva.

• Alveolar Mucosa:

  • Located further down, not directly under the lip.
  • Rich blood supply, appears dark red.
  • Found below the labial mucosa.
  • Muco-gingival Junction:
    • Where the alveolar mucosa meets the gingiva.
    • Marked by a color change from dark pink to light pink.

Gingival Structures:

• Free Gingival Groove:

  • An imaginary line separating free gingiva from attached gingiva.
  • Not visible, but can be detected as an indent or depression.

• Free Gingiva:

  • Located above the CEJ (cementoenamel junction).
  • Not attached to the tooth, can be probed.
  • Forms a pocket known as the gingival sulcus.

• Attached Gingiva:

  • Attached to the tooth's cementum.
  • Widest in the incisor and molar areas.
  • Narrower in the premolar regions.
  • Found only on facial/buccal surfaces, not on the palate.

• Pigmentation:

  • Darker individuals may have pigmented attached gingiva.
  • Free gingiva is less likely to be pigmented.

• Gingival Stippling:

  • Orange peel-like texture, present in healthy gums.
  • Visible when gums are dried with gauze.

Interdental Gingiva:

• Interdental Gingiva (Papilla):
  • Gum between teeth; prevents food impaction.
  • Known as papilla, with facial and lingual aspects.

Gingival Sulcus:

• Gingival Sulcus:
  • The space between the gum and the tooth.
  • Junctional Epithelium:
    • The base of the sulcus where probing stops.

Gingival Col:

• The valley-like depression where two teeth touch.
• Not present if there is a large gap or gum recession.

Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF):

• Present in the sulcus.
• Minimal fluid in healthy mouths; increases with disease like gingivitis or periodontitis.

These notes summarize key anatomical features of the gums and related areas, important for understanding oral health and diagnosing potential gum diseases.