gingival position

gingival position,

the level of the gum margin in relation to the teeth.

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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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position,

n the placement or location of body parts to each other or the relationship of the body and its parts to other objects in space.

position, anatomic,

n the upright, forward-facing stance used to reference the physical location of a body part. Arms are held down at the sides with palms, toes, and eyes all directed anteriorly.

position, axial,

n the placement of the long axis of a tooth so that the tooth is positioned to withstand the occlusal forces exerted on it.

position, border, posterior,

n the most posterior position of the mandible at any specific vertical relation of the maxillae.

position, centric,

n 1. the position of the mandible in its most retruded relation to the maxillae at the established vertical relation.
n 2. the constant position into which the patient will close the jaws; this relationship may be a convenience relationship or a true centric relationship.

position, condylar hinge,

n 1. mandibular joints at which a hinge movement of the mandible is possible.
n 2. the maxillomandibular relation from which a consciously stimulated true hinge movement can be executed.

position, eccentric,

n (eccentric jaw position), any position of the mandible other than that in centric relation. See also relation, jaw, eccentric.

position, eccentric jaw,

n See position, eccentric and relation, eccentric jaw.

position, finger,

n See finger positions.

position, gingival,

n See gingival position.

position, hinge,

n the orientation of parts in a manner permitting hinge movements between them.

position, intercuspal,

n the term applied to the cuspal contacts of teeth when the mandible is in centric relation. Also called
centric occlusion.

position, mandibular hinge,

n any position of the mandible that exists when the condyles are so situated in the temporomandibular joints that opening or closing movements can be made on the hinge axis. See also axis, hinge.

position, neutral,

n a relaxed and level arrangement of specific parts of the body so as to minimize stress or strain on the joints, nerves, or spine. The neutral position is usually defined by the horizontal plane of the adjacent part(s).

position, physiologic rest,

n the habitual postural position of the mandible when the patient is resting comfortably in the upright position and the condyles are in a neutral, unstrained position in the glenoid fossae. The mandibular musculature is in a state of minimum tonic contraction to maintain posture and to overcome its force of gravity. See also relation, rest jaw.

position, protrusive,

n the occlusion of the teeth as the mandible and mandibular central incisors are moved straight forward toward the incisal edges of the upper central incisors; the normal anterocclusal relationship; the forward end position, with the maxillary and mandibular incisors in edge-to-edge contact.

position, rest,

n 1. the position of the mandible when the jaws are in rest relation. See also position, physiologic rest, and relation, rest jaw.
n 2. the position that the mandible passively assumes when the mandibular musculature is relaxed.

position, semi-upright,

n a way to position a patient suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

position, terminal hinge,

n the mandibular hinge position from which further opening of the mandible would produce translatory rather than hinge movement. See also position, hinge.

position, tooth,

n the placement or location of the tooth in the dental arch in relation to the bone of the alveolar process, its adjacent teeth, and the opposing dentition.

position, Trendelenburg

n.pr a position in which the patient is on his back with the head and chest lowered and the legs elevated.