Periodontium Anatomy Review

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Dentogingival fiber group?

Maintain relationships of adjacent teeth

Secure alignment of teeth in arch

Attach gingiva to bone

Provide gingival support (correct)

Which fiber group is responsible for maintaining the contour and position of the free marginal gingiva?

Circular Group (correct)

Intergingival

Alveologingival

Transseptal

What is a characteristic of V-shaped Stillman’s cleft?

It has a slit-like form

It appears as a rolled cleft

It has a blunted appearance

It is broader at the top and narrows down (correct)

What structural feature distinguishes the thickness of the periodontal ligament in different age groups?

Thinner on teeth without antagonists Signup and view all the answers

Which group of fibers originates from the crest of alveolar process and inserts into the cervical cementum?

Alveolar Crest Group Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the periodontal ligament?

Support the tooth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following descriptions best fits bulbous gingival contours?

Broad and rounded appearance Signup and view all the answers

What does the Transseptal fiber group primarily serve to protect?

The interproximal bone Signup and view all the answers

How does the thickness of the periodontal ligament vary with age?

Thicker in adolescents Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Circular Group fibers in the periodontium?

Maintain contour of free marginal gingiva Signup and view all the answers

What happens if epithelium grows into the area of cementum resorption?

No repair takes place Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of osteoblasts?

Bone formation Signup and view all the answers

Which developmental anomaly is associated with cementogenesis?

Enamel pearls Signup and view all the answers

What is hypercementosis also known as?

Cementum hyperplasia Signup and view all the answers

What results from disuse atrophy in supporting bone?

Resorption due to reduced functional requirement Signup and view all the answers

What causes bone resorption on the mesial side of teeth?

Physiologic mesial drift Signup and view all the answers

What can cause cemental spikes?

Clumping of cementicles Signup and view all the answers

How does increased functional demand affect bone density?

It increases bone density Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes dehiscence?

Dipping of the crestal margin exposing the root Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during mesial drift of teeth?

Bone resorption on the mesial side Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal color of healthy gingiva?

Coral pink Signup and view all the answers

Which mucosa is characterized as loosely connected and movable?

Alveolar mucosa Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the gingiva?

Protect supporting tissues from the oral environment Signup and view all the answers

Where is stippling found in the oral mucosa?

In the attached gingiva Signup and view all the answers

What describes the interdental papilla?

Occupies the space between two teeth in contact Signup and view all the answers

What is observed in the gingival sulcus?

Usually 2-3 mm in depth Signup and view all the answers

What is the papillary contour of normal gingiva like?

Pointed, filling the interproximal spaces Signup and view all the answers

How does the consistency of healthy gingiva present?

Firm and tightly bound to teeth Signup and view all the answers

What feature distinguishes specialized mucosa?

Found on the dorsum of the tongue Signup and view all the answers

What causes stippling in the attached gingiva?

Interdigitation of connective tissue papilla with epithelial ridges Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the periodontal ligament?

To provide structural support and attach the tooth to the bone Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cementum is primarily formed after the tooth reaches the occlusal plane?

Cellular cementum Signup and view all the answers

Which cell type in the periodontal ligament is primarily responsible for collagen production?

Fibroblasts Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes acellular cementum from cellular cementum in terms of formation?

Acellular cementum is formed before the tooth erupts. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of ankylosis in teeth?

Fusion of cementum and alveolar bone Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a primary function of the periodontal ligament?

Preventing tooth movement Signup and view all the answers

What material primarily makes up the inorganic content of cementum?

Hydroxyapatite Signup and view all the answers

Which developmental stage sees a significant increase in the thickness of cementum?

Ages 11-70 Signup and view all the answers

What role do osteoclasts play in the periodontal environment?

Resorption of bone Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to cemental caries?

Exposed cementum due to gingival recession Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes Sharpey's fibers?

They are the ends of periodontal fibers embedded in cementum and bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major component of acellular cementum?

Sharpey’s fibers Signup and view all the answers

How does the periodontal ligament contribute to the sensory function?

By transmitting pain and tactile sensations Signup and view all the answers

Which group of fibers runs from cementum to bone at a diagonal angle?

Oblique group Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the junctional epithelium?

Provides attachment to the tooth surface Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characterizes the sulcular epithelium?

Has a continuous connection with the junctional epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What does active eruption involve?

Movement of teeth in the direction of the occlusal plane Signup and view all the answers

Which type of eruption is considered pathologic by some authors?

Passive eruption Signup and view all the answers

What is biologic width?

Distance from the alveolar crest to the margins of the porcelain crown Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of gingival connective tissue?

Houses blood vessels and nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of junctional epithelial cells compared to keratinized cells?

Able to adhere to tooth surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary component of the gingival connective tissue?

Collagen fibers Signup and view all the answers

How does attrition affect clinical crown length during active eruption?

Decreases clinical crown length Signup and view all the answers

Which gingival principal fibers encircle the tooth?

Circular group fibers Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main roles of the biologic width?

Ensures gingival attachment to the tooth Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences the rate of continuous tooth eruption?

Attrition of tooth tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between passive eruption and gingival inflammation?

Chronic inflammation may lead to passive eruption Signup and view all the answers

What type of fibers connect the tooth to the alveolus?

Dentoperiosteal fibers Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical length range for junctional epithelium?

0.025 - 1.35 mm Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gingiva and Periodontium Overview

Oral mucosa encompasses all soft tissues within the mouth.
Divided into three areas:
- Masticatory mucosa (gingiva, hard palate)
- Lining mucosa (alveolar mucosa, other membranes)
- Specialized mucosa (dorsum of tongue)

Surface Characteristics of Gingiva

Normal healthy gingiva presents as coral pink.
Papillary contour: pointed, filling interproximal spaces; typically blunt in older individuals.
Marginal contour appears scalloped in a mesiodistal view, sloping coronally.
Texture is stippled, giving it an “orange peel” appearance, found only in attached gingiva.
Firmly consistent, tightly bound to teeth and underlying bone.

Mucogingival Junction

Acts as the demarcation between attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa.
Remains stable throughout life; absent on palate due to the firm binding of mucosa to bone.

Alveolar Mucosa and Interdental Papilla

Alveolar mucosa located apically to attached gingiva, characterized by loose connection and mobility.
Interdental papilla occupies space between neighboring teeth, critical for early periodontal disease diagnosis. Its shape varies:
- Anterior: pyramidal
- Posterior: peaked with gingival col

Gingival Sulcus

Depth ranges from 2-3 mm.
Bounded by the tooth surface, junctional epithelium (JE), and sulcus epithelium.

Tooth Eruption

Continuous tooth eruption occurs throughout life with two types:
- Active eruption involves upward movement of the tooth towards the occlusal plane.
- Passive eruption results in the exposure of the crown due to separation of the JE.

Biologic Width

Defined as the distance from the alveolar bone crest to the margins of the periodontal attachment (total of 3 mm):
- Gingival sulcus: 1 mm
- Junctional epithelium: 1 mm
- Alveolar crest fibers: 1 mm

Gingival Connective Tissue

Composed of lamina propria containing collagen, reticular fibers, and some elastic fibers.
Structured in two layers: papillary layer and reticular layer.

Junctional Epithelium

A cuff-like band of non-keratinized epithelium around the tooth, ranging from 0.025 to 1.35 mm in length.
Provides a seal at the base of the sulcus, with varying permeability to fluids and inflammatory cells.

Principal Fibers of Gingiva

Dentogingival: Provide gingival support.
Alveologingival: Attach gingiva to underlying bone.
Circular Group: Maintain contour of marginal gingiva.
Other groups (transseptal, dentoperiosteal, semicircular, transgingival, intergingival) serve specific functions in tooth alignment and support.

Periodontal Ligament (PDL)

Fibrous connective tissue attaching teeth to alveolar bone.
Thickness ranges from 0.1 to 0.25 mm, varying with age and eruption stage.
Contains principal fibers grouped by direction and function, including alveolar crest group, horizontal group, oblique group, and others.

cellular Types in PDL and Cementum

Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells can develop into various cell types like fibroblasts and osteoblasts.
Main functions of PDL include mechanical support, formation, nutrition, and sensory perception.

Cementum Classification

Classified as acellular or cellular, with significant distinctions in formation timing, composition, and presence of cementocytes.
Acellular cementum is primarily composed of Sharpey’s fibers and forms before teeth reach occlusal plane.
Cellular cementum forms post-eruption and features incremental lines indicating growth phases, with cementocytes residing within.

Ankylosis and Root Resorption

Ankylosis involves fusion of cementum and alveolar bone with obliteration of PDL, potentially leading to functional issues.
Root resorption, primarily physiologic, occurs in deciduous teeth and can happen due to inflammation or trauma.### Cementum Repair
Epithelium growth into resorption areas hinders cementum repair.

Enamel-Cementum Relationship

Space between enamel and cementum with dentin exposure is 5-10%.
End-to-end relationship between enamel and cementum is observed in 30% of cases.
Cementum overlaps enamel in 60-65% of cases.

Developmental Anomalies

Anomalies in cementogenesis may include:
- Enamel projections
- Enamel pearls
- Hypercementosis
- Cementicles

Hypercementosis

Also referred to as cementum hyperplasia.
Can occur in teeth that lack antagonists due to excessive eruption.
Teeth with periapical irritation from pulp disease may develop hypercementosis to compensate for fibrous attachment loss.

Physiologic Mesial Drift

Continuous migration of teeth in a mesial direction observed.
Bone resorption on the mesial side of the alveolus coincides with tooth positioning.
Bone formation occurs on the distal side, indicating activity alteration.
Compression leads to bone resorption while tension accelerates bone formation.

Supporting (Basal) Bone

Resorption caused by reduced functional requirements of the alveolar bone.
Loss of occlusal function results in disuse atrophy of bone structure.

Disuse Atrophy

Increased functional demand enhances bone density, while excessive demands lead to decreased density.

Defects in the Alveolar Process

Dehiscence refers to a dipping of the crestal margin, resulting in root exposure.

Cemental Spikes

A form of hypercementosis characterized by clumping of cementicles and calcification of Sharpey’s fibers.
Can result from excessive tension due to orthodontic appliances or occlusal forces.

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Description

This quiz covers the anatomy, structure, and function of the periodontium, specifically focusing on the gingiva and its various components. You'll delve into the different areas of oral mucosa, including masticatory and lining mucosa. Test your knowledge on the essential aspects of periodontal tissues.