Introduction to Gingivitis and Periodontitis Quiz (ODS Learning Outcomes)

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Questions and Answers

What is the typical consistency of healthy gingiva?

Firm (correct)

Soft and pliable

Boggy

Spongy and loose

Which color is typically associated with gingivitis?

Various shades of red (correct)

Bluish/purplish

Uniform pink

Dark brown

What happens to the junctional epithelium in periodontitis?

It remains coronal to the CEJ

It attaches to the enamel

It displays no attachment changes

It moves apical to the CEJ (correct)

What is a characteristic feature of the texture of gingivitis?

Shiny and stretched Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the alveolar bone in gingivitis?

It is intact and located 2-3mm apical to the base of JE Signup and view all the answers

What change occurs in gingival fibers during gingivitis?

Reversible damage to supragingival fiber bundles Signup and view all the answers

How does the gingival margin typically appear in periodontitis?

Below the CEJ Signup and view all the answers

What histological change occurs in the junctional epithelium in gingivitis?

It extends epithelial ridges into connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

What feature is characteristic of the consistency of periodontitis?

Spongy or fibrotic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT true regarding the clinical appearance of healthy gingiva?

Presence of bleeding upon probing Signup and view all the answers

What is true pocketing?

Pocket formation caused by apical migration of junctional epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is commonly associated with gingivitis?

Bleeding gingivae Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of periodontitis compared to gingivitis?

Irreversible destruction involving all parts of the periodontium Signup and view all the answers

How is a false pocket characterized?

Increased probing depth but no apical migration of junctional epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a symptom of periodontitis?

Reversible gum swelling Signup and view all the answers

What typically leads to clinical attachment loss?

Apical migration leading to bone destruction Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the effects of gingivitis?

It is a reversible bacterial infection confined to the gingiva. Signup and view all the answers

What may indicate a need for immediate dental treatment due to periodontitis?

Symptoms of severe tooth mobility Signup and view all the answers

Which of these conditions could exacerbate gingivitis?

Gingival enlargement from gingivitis Signup and view all the answers

Which factor distinguishes the severity of periodontitis?

Presence of long-term inflammation and infection Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Healthy Gingiva

Color: Uniform pink, possibly pigmented.
Contour: Marginal gingiva (MG) meets tooth at a tapered or slightly rounded edge; Interdental papilla (IDP) is pointed, filling the space between teeth.
Consistency: Firm.
Texture: Smooth and/or stippled.
Bleeding: No bleeding on probing.
Margin: Slightly coronal to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), scalloped.
Histology: Junctional epithelium (JE) firmly attached to enamel, coronal to CEJ; intact supragingival fiber bundles supporting the JE; alveolar bone intact, 2-3mm apical to JE base; intact periodontal ligament fibers (PDL).

Gingivitis

Clinical Appearance: Red.
Color: Various shades of red.
Contour: MG rolled and thickened; IDP rounded, blunted, bulbous, losing knife edge.
Consistency: Spongy, loose, boggy.
Texture: Shiny, stretched.
Bleeding: Bleeding on probing.
Margin: Coronal to CEJ (due to swelling).
Histology: JE still attached to enamel, coronal to CEJ; JE extends epithelial ridges into connective tissue; reversible damage to supragingival fiber bundles; alveolar bone intact.

Periodontitis

Clinical Appearance: Health (but often with signs of inflammation).
Color: Oedematous tissue – bluish/purplish; fibrotic – pink, nodular.
Contour: MG swollen or fibrotic, loss of knife edge; position of MG varies with recession; IDP may be lost, cratered, blunted.
Consistency: Spongy or fibrotic.
Texture: Shiny or nodular.
Bleeding: Bleeding and suppuration.
Margin: Below the CEJ.
Histology: JE apical to CEJ, attached to cementum. Permanent destruction of some or all of the fibers, especially gingival fibres. Permanent destruction of alveolar bone. Permanent destruction of some or all of the PDL fibres.

False Pocketing vs. True Pocketing

False Pocketing (Pseudopocket): Caused by gingival enlargement; probing depth suggests a pocket, but there's no apical migration of the junctional epithelium.
True Pocketing: Probing depth increase (4mm+) due to apical migration of the junctional epithelium.

Patient Symptoms

Gingivitis/Periodontitis: Inflammation of gingiva; teeth may appear yellowish; bleeding gingiva; bad breath (halitosis); tooth mobility (periodontitis); recession (periodontitis); soreness.

Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis

Gingivitis: Bacterial infection confined to the gingiva; reversible destruction.
Periodontitis: Bacterial infection of all parts of the periodontium; irreversible destruction.

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Description

This quiz evaluates the differences between healthy gingiva and gingivitis, focusing on clinical appearance, color, contour, consistency, and histological features. Test your understanding of the key characteristics that distinguish normal gum health from inflammation.