- Gingiva (gums) abuts tooth neck
- Patient closes teeth
- Retract cheeks and lips
- Gingiva color is pink/pale red and stippled
- Sharp interdental papilla
- Shallow (1-2mm) crevices between gums and teeth
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Teeth seat firmly in bony sockets
- Findings
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Abnormal Gingiva
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Gingivitis (Plaque, calculus, food accretion)
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Periodontitis (Pyorrhea)
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Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
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Primary Herpetic Gingivostomatitis
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Gingival Hyperplasia or Enlargement
- Epulis (Localized Gingival Enlargement)
- Most often caused by inflammation
- Rule out neoplasia
- Gingival Erosions, bullae, atrophy, erythema
- Causes: autoimmune, mucocutaneous, and benign disease
- Biopsy if etiology not clear
- Lead or Bismuth Line
- Bluish or Black Line on gums 1mm above gum margin
- Seen in Chronic Lead or Bismuth Poisoning
- Does not appear where teeth are absent
- Distinguish from Melanin pigmentation
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Melanin Pigmentation (over tooth margin)
- Common brownish pigmentation normal in dark skin
- May also be seen in Melanism
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