What is gingivitis?

What is gingivitis?

• A. Reversible with no apical migration of junctional epithelium or bone loss.
• B. Irreversible bone destruction of periodontium.
• C. Always progresses to periodontitis.
• D. Involves resorption of alveolar bone only.

Answer: (A)

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque that is confined to the gingival tissues. It is reversible with good plaque control and professional cleaning. There is no apical migration of the junctional epithelium and no loss of supporting bone, so the attachment apparatus remains intact. This is why gingivitis can fully resolve when plaque is removed and inflammation subsides. The statements describing irreversible bone destruction, or that gingivitis always progresses to periodontitis, or that it involves bone resorption, do not fit because those features characterize periodontitis or misstate gingivitis.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque that is confined to the gingival tissues. It is reversible with good plaque control and professional cleaning. There is no apical migration of the junctional epithelium and no loss of supporting bone, so the attachment apparatus remains intact. This is why gingivitis can fully resolve when plaque is removed and inflammation subsides.

The statements describing irreversible bone destruction, or that gingivitis always progresses to periodontitis, or that it involves bone resorption, do not fit because those features characterize periodontitis or misstate gingivitis.