GINGIVA

Introduction
Macroanatomy of Gingiva
-Marginal Gingiva
-Gingival Sulcus
-Attached Gingiva
-Interdental Gingiva
Microanatomy of Gingiva
-Gingival Epithelium
-General Aspects
-Outer / Oral
Epithelium
-Sulcular Epithelium
-Junctional
Epithelium
-Interface Between
Epithelium And
Connective Tissue
-Gingival Connective Tissue
-Cellular Elements
-Gingival Fibers

Blood Supply
Lymphatic Drainage
Gingival Innervation
Correlation of Normal Clinical and Microscopic
Features
-Color
-Size
-Contour
-Shape
-Consistency
-Surface Texture
-Position
Effects of Aging on Gingival Epithelium and
Connective Tissue
Conclusion
References

INTRODUCTION
The gingiva covers the alveolar process,
and it is the only one of the periodontal
tissues that under healthy conditions is
directly visible upon inspection.

Glickman :
Gingiva is the part of the oral mucosa
that covers the alveolar processes of the
jaws and surrounds the necks of the
teeth.
A A P 1992 :
The fibrous investing tissue, covered by
keratinized
epithelium,
which
immediately surrounds a tooth and is
contiguous with its periodontal ligament
and with the mucosal tissues of the
mouth.

Oral Mucosa consists of :

Masticatory Mucosa - Gingiva
- covering of Hard
palate.
Specialized Mucosa - Dorsum of Tongue.
OMM lining remainder of oral cavity.
Structurally :
Keratinized

- masticatory mucosa
- vermilion border of the lip.
Non keratinized - lining or reflecting mucosa,
- specialized mucosa.

MACROANATOMY OF GINGIVA
Anatomically
Free or Marginal
Gingiva.
Attached Gingiva.
Interdental
Gingiva.

Functionally
Part facing oral
cavity.
Part facing the
tooth.

Free or Unattached or Marginal

Gingiva :

Terminal edge or border of

gingiva
surrounding the teeth
like a collar.
Usually 1 mm wide.
Demarcated
from
attached
gingiva by a shallow depression
free gingival groove- 50 % .

Gingival Sulcus
V shaped.
Depth of Gingival Sulcus :
Ideal conditions - zero.
Clinically - 2 3 mm.
Histologic -1.8 mm with
variations from 0 to 6 mm.
Shallow crevice or space around
the tooth bounded by surface of
tooth on one side and the
epithelium lining the free margin
of the gingiva on the other.

Attached Gingiva

Continuous with marginal gingiva & is

firm, resilient & tightly bound to the
underlying periosteum of the alveolar
bone.
The facial aspect of the attached gingiva
extends to the relatively loose & movable
alveolar mucosa from which it is
demarcated by the MGJ.

Width of AG

distance b/w the MGJ & projection on the

external surface of the bottom of gingival
sulcus/ periodontal pocket.
Greatest in incisor region :
3.5 to 4.5 mm in maxilla
3.3 to 3.9 mm in mandible
1.9 mm in maxilla
1.8mm in mandible
Least in the first premolar area :

MGJ
remains stationary
throughout adult life.
On
lingual
aspect,
AG
terminates at the junction
with the lingual alveolar
mucosa, which is continuous
with the mucous membrane
lining the floor of mouth.
On palatal surface, it blends
imperceptibly
with
the
equally firm, resilient palatal
mucosa.

Significance of attached gingiva for the

maintenance of
periodontal health :
To protect the periodontium from injury
caused by frictional forces encountered
during mastication
To dissipate the pull on the gingival margin
created by the muscles of the adjacent
alveolar mucosa.

Interdental Gingiva :

occupies
the
gingival
embrasure,
which
is
the
interproximal space beneath
the area of tooth contact.

can have a pyramidal or Col

shape.

PYRAMIDAL SHAPEIn this the papilla is located

immediately
beneath
the
contact point. It is present in
anterior teeth

COL SHAPE
It is valley like depression that connects the
facial and lingual papilla and conforms to the
shape of interproximal contact and present in
posterior teeth

Its epithelium is non keratinised and same as

junctional epithelium