Healthy periodontium Flashcards
(19 cards)
- What are the main components of the periodontium?
-Gingiva – Provides a protective barrier around teeth.
-Periodontal Ligament (PDL) – Connects tooth to alveolar bone and absorbs mechanical forces.
-Root Cementum – Covers the root surface and provides attachment for PDL fibers.
-Alveolar Bone – Supports teeth and provides a foundation for tooth attachment.
- What is the function of the periodontal ligament (PDL)?
The PDL functions to:
Attach the tooth to the alveolar bone via Sharpey’s fibers.
Absorb and distribute occlusal forces.
Provide sensory feedback (pain and pressure receptors).
Supply nutrients via its rich vascular network.
Facilitate tissue repair and regeneration.
- What are the anatomic regions of the gingiva?
-Free Gingiva: Unattached, surrounds the cervical portion of the tooth.
Attached Gingiva: Firmly bound to the underlying alveolar bone and cementum.
Interdental Gingiva (Papilla): Occupies the gingival embrasure between teeth.
Gingival Sulcus: The shallow groove between the tooth and gingiva, normally 1-3mm deep in health.
What are the different types of gingival epithelium?
Oral Epithelium: Outer surface, keratinized, provides a barrier against mechanical trauma.
Sulcular Epithelium: Lines the gingival sulcus, non-keratinized, allows selective permeability.
Junctional Epithelium: Non-keratinized, directly attached to the enamel or cementum, rapid turnover rate (4-6 days), forming an epithelial barrier.
- What is the importance of alveolar bone in periodontal health?
-The alveolar bone provides structural support to teeth and contains the socket (alveolus) where the root is anchored.
-It undergoes continuous remodeling in response to functional forces and periodontal disease.
-The alveolar process consists of:
Cortical Bone: Dense outer layer.
Cancellous Bone (Trabecular Bone):
Spongy, houses bone marrow.
Alveolar Bone Proper (Bundle Bone):
Contains Sharpey’s fibers anchoring the PDL.
- What does the term “Periodontium” mean?
The term Periodontium originates from Greek:
Peri = beside, next to, around
Odontos = tooth
It refers to the supportive tissues of the tooth.
- What are the functions of the periodontium?
Anchors the tooth to the jawbone.
Stabilizes the dental arch.
Absorbs and transmits occlusal forces.
Warns of overload via mechanoreceptors.
Provides sensation to stimuli (temperature & pain).
Maintains blood supply to periodontal tissues.
Acts as a protective barrier against noxious stimuli.
- What are the three embryonic components involved in tooth development?
Enamel Organ – Forms enamel (ameloblasts) so contains (outher and inner enamel epithelium, stellate reticulum & stratum intermedium)
Dental Papilla – Forms dental pulp and dentin (odontoblasts).
Dental Sac/Follicle – Forms cementoblasts, fibroblasts, and osteoblasts.
These structures together form the Tooth Germ.
- What are the major anatomic parts of the gingiva?
Free Gingiva: Unattached, forms the gingival sulcus
Attached Gingiva: Firmly bound to bone and cementum, immobile.
Interdental Gingiva (Papilla)/ marginal gingiva: Occupies the gingival embrasure.
Alveolar Mucosa: Loosely bound to the underlying bone, mobile.
- Where is the marginal gingiva and interdental papilla located?
Coronal to the connective tissue attachment.
Found at the vestibular, lingual, and palatal aspects of the teeth.
Occupies the interdental spaces between teeth.
- What is the function of the marginal gingiva?
Forms the gingival collar around the tooth.
Provides a protective seal against bacterial invasion.
Helps maintain gingival contour.
- What is the col in gingival anatomy?
a concave depression between the buccal and lingual papillae.
Located in the interdental gingiva between adjacent teeth.
- What type of epithelium covers the col?
Non-keratinized epithelium.
- Why is the col susceptible to inflammation?
-Lacks keratinization, making it more permeable.
-Located in a plaque-retentive area, increasing the risk of gingivitis.
-Has reduced mechanical protection compared to keratinized gingiva.
- How does the col differ from other parts of the gingiva?
Unlike the keratinized oral epithelium, the col is non-keratinized.
It is thinner, making it more vulnerable to bacterial invasion.
It is located only in the interdental region, whereas oral epithelium covers the outer gingiva.
- What are the three types of gingival epithelium based on location?
-Oral Epithelium – Outer surface, keratinized, protective.
-Sulcular Epithelium – Lines sulcus, non-keratinized, acts as a semi-permeable membrane.
-Junctional Epithelium – Non-keratinized, attached to enamel/cementum, rapid turnover (4-6 days).
function of gingival epithelium?
-protects deeper structures (bacterial invasion / infection)
=> physical, biological and chemical barrier
- allows selective interchange with oral environment
=> achieved by proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes
- What are the three types of gingival epithelium based on keratinization?
Orthokeratinized Epithelium
Undergoes complete keratinization.
No nuclei in the stratum corneum.
Parakeratinized Epithelium
Stratum corneum retains pyknotic nuclei (partially keratinized).
Non-Keratinized Epithelium
Lacks stratum granulosum and stratum corneum.
Found in sulcular and junctional epithelium, making it more permeable.
- Why is keratinization important in gingival health?
increases resistance to mechanical trauma and bacterial penetration.
Keratinized gingiva (like attached gingiva) provides better protection than non-keratinized areas (like sulcular epithelium).
Junctional epithelium lacks keratinization, making it more susceptible to plaque-related inflammation.
