gingival pocket

pocket /pock·et/ (pok´et) a bag or pouch.

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endocardial pockets  sclerotic thickenings of the mural endocardium, occurring most often on the left ventricular septum below an insufficient aortic valve.

gingival pocket  a gingival sulcus deepened by pathological conditions, caused by gingival enlargement without destruction of the periodontal tissue.

pacemaker pocket  the subcutaneous area in which the pulse generator and pacing leads of an internal pacemaker are implanted, usually developed in the prepectoralis fascia or the retromammary area.

periodontal pocket  a gingival sulcus deepened into the periodontal ligament apically to the original level of the resorbed alveolar crest.

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gingival pocket.

See periodontal pocket.

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gingival (jin´jvl),

adj pertaining to or in relation to the gingiva.

gingival abrasion,

n the attrition (scraping or wearing away) of the gingival tissue by harsh irritants such as coarse foods or faulty toothbrushing.

gingival anatomy,

n the gingiva, which is a dense connective tissue covered by keratinized mucosa except in the sulcus, where it is nonkeratinized. The margin is curved buccolingually with the peaks (papillae) interdentally. The sulcus depth normally is the apical limit to the free (unattached) gingiva, the attached gingiva extending from the free gingiva to the oral mucosa.

gingival architecture,

n the gingival form.

gingival blanching,

n the lightening of gingival color resulting from stretching with diminution of blood supply; usually of a temporary nature. Can occur with the injection of a vasoconstrictor found in a local anesthetic agent.

gingival bleeding,

n a prominent symptom of periodontal disease produced by ulceration of the sulcular epithelium and an inflammatory process. It can occur on probing or when the tissues are manipulated by instrumentation, oral hygiene, or eating. The blood comes from the lamina propria after ulceration of the epithelial lining.

gingival blood supply,

n the vascular supply to the gingivae arises from the vessels that pass on the gingival side of the outer periosteum of bone and anastomoses with blood vessels of the periodontal ligament and intraalveolar blood vessels.

gingival color,

n the color of the gingival tissues in health and in disease. It varies with the thickness and degree of keratinization of the epithelium, blood supply, pigmentation, and alterations produced by diseased processes affecting the gingival tissues. In health often described as coral pink, with possible areas of pigmentation.

gingival consistency,

n the visual and tactile characteristics of healthy gingival tissue. Visual consistency varies from a smooth velvet to that of an orange peel, either finely or coarsely grained. The tactile consistency of the gingival tissue should be firm and resilient.

gingival crater,

n a concave depression in the gingival tissue. Especially seen in the area of the former apex of the interdental papilla as a result of gingival destruction associated with necrotizing periodontal disease or when food impaction occurs against the tissue subjacent to the contact points of adjacent teeth.

gingival crevicular fluid,

n an older term for the serum transudate found in the gingival sulcus. Irritation and inflammation of the gingival tissue increase the flow and alter the constituents of crevicular fluid. More commonly called gingival fluid.

gingival cyanotic tissue,

n gingival tissue that appears slightly bluish red due to a reduction in oxygenated hemoglobin; may occur in conjunction with vitamin C deficiency. See also cyanosis.

gingival cyst of the adult,

n See cyst, gingival, of the adult.

gingival cyst of the newborn,

n See cyst, gingival, of the newborn.

gingival discoloration,

n a change from the normal coloration of the gingivae; associated with inflammation, diminution of blood supply, and abnormal pigmentation.

gingival enlargement, drug-influenced,

n the growth of the gingival tissues, especially the interdental and papillae, resulting from the use of drugs such as those that block calcium channels or by Dilantin.

Gingival enlargement seen in a patient taking a calcium channel blocker.

gingival erythema, linear (LGE),

n a characteristic of a necrotizing periodontal condition in an HIV-positive patient. A band of acute erythema located at the gingival margin.

gingival erythema, lingual,

n a band of acute erythema located at the inside gingival margin (next to the tongue).

gingival fibroblast,

n a formative cell that moderates wound healing and healing after treatment. See also fibroblast.

gingival fibromatosis,

n See fibromatosis, gingival.

gingival graft,

n See graft, gingival.

gingival hemorrhage,

n the excessive bleeding of the gingival tissues; usually at the interpapillary crest, the gingival margin, or in the crevicular sulcus. It can be due to severe periodontal diseases or medical complications (e.g., leukemia).

gingival hormonal enlargement,

n an enlargement of the gingivae associated with hormonal imbalance during pregnancy or puberty.

gingival mat,

n the gingival connective tissue composed of coarse, broad collagen fibers that serve to attach the gingivae to the teeth and to hold the free gingivae in close approximation to the teeth.

gingival physiology,

n the gingivae encircle the teeth and serve as a protective mucosal covering for the underlying tissues; the gingival fiber apparatus serves as a barrier to apical migration of the epithelial attachment and binds the gingival tissues to the teeth. The normal topography permits the free flow of food away from the occlusal surfaces and from the cervical and interproximal areas of the teeth.

gingival pigmentation,

n the variations in gingival color may be correlated with the racial diversity of an individual or may be a reflection of pathologic influences, such as the melanin pigmentation associated with hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease), nevi, and depositions of heavy metals. See also melanin and melanosis.

gingival pocket,

n a localized deepening of the gingival crevice of 2 mm or more.

gingival position,

n the level of the gingival margin in relation to the tooth.

gingival recession,

n the apical migration of the gingival crest.

gingival shrinkage,

n the reduction in size of gingival tissue, principally by diminution of edema, usually as a result of therapeutic elimination of subgingival deposits and curettement of the soft tissue wall of the pocket.

gingival stippling,

n a series of small depressions characterizing the surface of healthy gingivae, varying from a smooth velvet to that of an orange peel.

gingival sulcus,

n the space between the free gingiva and the tooth.

gingival surface texture,

n the texture of the attached gingivae, which normally is stippled; in inflammatory conditions, the edema, cellular infiltration, and concomitant swelling cause loss of the surface stippling, and the gingivae take on a smooth, shiny, edematous appearance.

gingival third,

n the most apical one third of a given clinical crown or of an axial surface cavity or preparation.

gingival topography,

n the form of the healthy gingival tissues. The marginal gingivae and the interdental papillae have a characteristic shape.

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pocket,

n in dentistry, a deepened gingival sulcus. See also gingival sulcus.

pocket, bleeding,

n an occurrence that denotes ulcerations of the pocket epithelium, with hemorrhaging through the broken surface from exposed connective tissue capillaries. May happen as a result of probing, oral hygiene, or other manipulation of the tissues such as dental procedures or eating.

pocket bottom,

n the base of the pocket, marked or limited by the epithelial attachment to the cementum of the root (periodontal pocket) or the enamel of the crown (gingival pocket). The depth from the base of the pocket to the gingival crest is measured by the periodontal probe.

pocket, calculus,

n the calcified deposits that usually occupy the pocket. It is attached to the tooth structure, with the gingival tissues tightly adapted to the surface of the calculus.

pocket, deepening,

n an increase of the depth of the pocket, which depends on apical proliferation of the epithelial attachment alongside the cementum, with subsequent separation from the tooth, or on hyperplasia of the gingivae resulting from inflammation.

pocket, depth of,

n the measurement, usually expressed in millimeters, of the distance between the gingival crest and the base of the pocket using a periodontal probe.

pocket, elimination,

n the application of therapeutic measures to obtain a healthy gingival attachment and an intact, functioning epithelial attachment. The procedures employed include curettage (root and gingival), reattachment, or new attachment operations, gingivectomy and gingivoplasty, and osseous and mucogingival surgical procedures.

pocket, gingival,

n a pseudopocket or false pocket formation; gingival inflammation with edema, hyperplasia, and ulceration of the sulcular epithelium but without apical proliferation of the epithelial attachment.

pocket in marginal periodontitis,

n a condition in which the inflammatory process has progressed from the gingival tissues to the underlying alveolar process. The changes are those associated with gingivitis and, in addition, resorptive bone lesions. The base of the pocket is at the junction of the epithelial attachment to the cementum of the root.

pocket, infrabony,

n a periodontal pocket, the base of which is apical to the crest of the alveolar bone. Consists basically of a vertical resorptive defect in alveolar and supporting bone, overlying which are a band of transseptal fibers connecting adjacent teeth, disintegrated fibers of gingival tissue, inflammatory cellular infiltrate, and hyperplastic pocket epithelium, accompanied by apical migration of the epithelial attachment. Clinical signs are those of periodontitis, associated with radiographic evidence of vertical bone resorption. It has been classified according to the number of remaining osseous walls supporting it for the purpose of therapeutic rationale. Also called
infracrestal pocket, intraalveolar pocket, and
intrabony pocket.

pocket, infracrestal,

n See pocket, infrabony.

pocket, intraalveolar,

n See pocket, infrabony.

pocket, intrabony,

n See pocket, infrabony.

pocket ionization chamber,

n See chamber, ionization.

pocket, marking,

n the accurate determination and delineation of pocket depth and topography as an aid to diagnosis and prognosis or to provide a guide for the gingivectomy incision or other surgical procedures.

pocket, periodontal,

n a pathologically deepened sulcus, with an ulcerated junctional epithelium and apical proliferation of the epithelial attachment. There is also a loss of bone and disorganization of the periodontal ligament.

pocket, suprabony,

n an area of crestal alveolar bone loss that results in a deepened gingival sulcus.

pocket surgery,

n a generic term referring to gingivectomy and gingivoplasty. See also gingivectomy and gingivoplasty.

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gingival

pertaining to or emanating from the gum.

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gingival hypertrophy, gingival hyperplasia

general or local gum overgrowth which may be severe enough to cover the crowns of the teeth and prevent the mouth from being closed. Common only in dogs. May be localized to one or several teeth, resulting in discrete, tumorlike masses (epulis), or diffuse, affecting the gums at all teeth locations. The latter form is familial in Boxer dogs and inherited as a recessive trait in Swedish silver foxes.

gingival index

a graded assessment of gingival health used in periodontal charting.

gingival pocket

see periodontal pocket.

gingival recession

the free gingival margin may recede towards the tooth root in association with resorption of alveolar and supporting bone in periodontal disease in dogs and cats. The cemento-enamel junction and root surface become exposed contributing to progression of dental disease.

gingival vascular hamartoma

rare congenital vascular anomaly on the gums of calves; lobulated masses covered with mucosa but may be traumatized; consist of vascular channels.