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NIKLAUS P. L A N G *
HARALD L Ö E * *
INTRODUCTION
623
624 Lang and Löe J. Periodontol.
October, 1972
The facial keratinized gingiva was widest in the area gingiva was generally 0.5-1 mm wider than in the
of upper and lower incisors and narrowest adjacent to mandible (Figure 2 ) .
the maxillary and mandibular canines and first pre
molars (Figure 2 ) . The lingual gingiva of the lower Most surfaces ( > 8 0 % ) with 2.0 mm or more kera
jaw exhibited its greatest width in the area of the pre tinized gingiva were clinically healthy, (Figure 3) and
molars and molars. The incisors showed the narrowest 76% of these same surfaces failed to show gingival
lingual gingiva (Figure 2 ) . In the maxilla the facial exudation (Figure 4 ) . O n the other hand, all surfaces
PERCENTAGE OF SURFACES
PERCENTAGE OF SURFACES
with less than 2.0 mm of keratinized gingiva exhibited ATTACHED GINGIVA OF BUCCAL SURFACES
clinical inflammation and varying amounts of gingival
exudate (Figures 3, 4 ) . Generally, the Gingival Index
and gingival exudate scores increased as the width of
the keratinized gingiva decreased (Figures 3, 4 ) . The
maximum score during this examination was G I = 2
(moderate inflammation) which occurred only in sur
faces whose width of keratinized gingiva was 2 mm or
less (Figure 4 ) .
the presence or absence of frenum insertions, suggests mm gingiva. Only plaque free surfaces were scored.
that the inflammatory situation in the gingiva is not Previous observations on the width and the pattern of
a result of only mechanical irritation from these struc variation of keratinized gingiva were confirmed. It was
tures. Rather it is conceivable that a movable gingival demonstrated that gingival health is compatible with a
margin would facilitate the introduction of microorgan very narrow gingiva. However, in areas with less than
isms into the gingival crevice resulting in a thin sub 2 mm keratinized gingiva inflammation persisted in
gingival bacterial plaque which would be difficult to spite of effective oral hygiene. It is suggested that 2 mm
detect and not easily removed by conventional tooth- of keratinized gingiva (corresponding to 1 mm attached
brushing. gingiva in this material) is adequate to maintain gin
gival health.
The regions which consistently showed the narrowest
width of keratinized gingiva were the lingual surface
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Announcements
CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES ARMY DENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE EARN AWARD
FALL SEMESTER—1972 AT ARMY SCIENCE CONFERENCE
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY On June 21, 1972 the United States Army Institute of Dental
OF NEW JERSEY Research team of Brigadier General Surindar N. Bhaskar,
NEW JERSEY DENTAL SCHOOL Colonel Arthur Gross and Colonel Duane E. Cutright presented
201 Cornelison Avenue a study of their work with the pulsating water jet device at
Jersey City, N.J. 07304 the Army Science Conference at West Point. Their contribu-
tion to Army research and development was judged to be
Course Title—P-l Periodontics for the General Practitioner;
among the nine most significant in all areas of research.
Faculy—Dr. A. Formicola and Staff; Dates 9-20-72 (Wed.);
Fee—$40.* Scientists from throughout the Army Research and Develop-
ment Command had submitted a total of 497 proposals for
Course Title—CE-2 Getting Prevention Through To Your papers to be presented at the conference. Of these, 100 were
Patients; Faculty—Dr. J. Mittelman; Dates—10-18-72 (Wed.); selected by a panel of Judges for presentation. Papers selected
Fee—$50. represented all areas of Army research, and included such
Course Title—CE-3 Principles of Occlusion; Faculty—Dr. N. subjects as communications, computer systems and nuclear
Guichet; Dates— 11-13, 14, 72 (Mon. and Tues.); Fee—$95 research as well as medical studies.
(Dentists) $60 (Aux.). At the end of the week-long conference, the panel of scien-
*No tuition for N.J. dentists. However, a $10. registration fee tists selected the nine best papers presented. Authors of these
is required for each course. studies received medals, certificates, and cash awards.
The studies conducted at the United States Army Institute
FOR INFORMATION AND APPLICATION, WRITE TO: of Dental Research led to the use of the pulsating water jet
devices in the debridement of combat wounds in Vietnam.
Dr. Daniel Isaacson
These techniques have now been adopted for the management
Director of Continuing Education
of wounds in all parts of the body.
New Jersey Dental School
201 Cornelison Avenue This is the first time that dental research has won such an
Jersey City, New Jersey 07304 award at the Army Science Conference.