Gingivitis: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Classify the gingival and periodontal diseases and write in detail about plaque-associated gingivitis.
Answer.

Plaque-associated Gingivitis

Plaque associated gingivitis is also known as gingivitis associated with dental plaque only or gingivitis.

This disease is directly related to the plaque on the tooth surface.
Gingivitis causes red gingival margin, hypertrophy and deep penetration of periodontal probe on clinical evaluation.
Surface of gingiva may appear glazed or smooth and stippling usually, disappears.
Microscopically there is an increase in the capillaries along the gingival margin and epithelial lining.
Gingival sulcus becomes ulcerated. This ulcer bleeds when periodontal probe is placed in gingival crevice.
- Bleeding in response to gentle probing is the major clinical indicator of gingivitis.
- As the severity of gingivitis increases the clear gingival fluid flow or exudates appears to increase.
- Gingivitis appears to be directly related to the amount of plaque biofim on the tooth surface and the amount of time that the plaque is allowed to remain undisturbed.
- Bacterial plaque biofim is considered non-specific because it is not associated with any specifi type of microorganism.
- Mature plaque biofim seen in long-standing gingivitis has large percentage of gram-negative bacteria. So the change from gram-positive plaque associated with health or healthy plaque to predominantly Gram negative plaque or pathogenic plaque is characteristic of gingivitis.
- Gingivitis is reversible. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis disappear in 1 week as good plaque control is achieved.