DH Theory

The cementum, periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone

the probing depth measured from a fixed point, such as the cemenoenamel junction.

cell junction; consists of a dense plate near the cell surface that relates to a similar structure on an adjacent cell, between which are thin layers of extracellular material

a space between two natural adjacent teeth, and example is a primate space

the tissue serving as a liner for the intraoral mucosal surfaces

epithelium composed of a layer of flat, scale-like cells; or may be stratified

fiber-producing cell of the connective tissue; a flattened, irregularly branched cell with a large oval nucleus that is responsible in part for the production and remodeling of the extracellular matrix

a fibrous change of the mucous membrane, especially the gingiva, as a result of chronic inflammation; fibrotic gingiva may appear outwardly healthy, thus masking underlying disease

half of a desmosome that forms a site of attachment between junctional epithelial cells and the tooth surface

abnormal thickening of the keratin layer (stratum corneum) of the epithelium

abnormal increase in volume of a tissue or organ caused by formation and growth of new normal cells

increase in sized of tissue or organ caused by an increase in size of its constituent cells

development of a horny layer of flattened epithelial cells containing keratin

indentifier; symptoms or signs by which a particular condition can be recognized; for example, clinical and microbiologic markers are used to identify gingival and periodontal infections

act of chewing

lining mucosa in which the stratified squamous epithelial cells retain their nuclei and cytoplasm

tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth; in two sections are the gingival unit, composed of the free and attached gingiva and the alveolar mucosa, and the attachment apparatus, which includes the cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar process

the distance from the gingival margin to the location of the periodontal probe tip inserted for gentle probing at the attachment

a fluid product of inflammation that contains leukocytes, degenerated tissue elements, tissue fluids, and microorganisms

penetrating connective tissue fibers by which the tooth is attached to the adjacent alveolar bone; the fiber bundles penetrate cementum on one side and alveolar bone on the other

the pitted, orange-peel appearance frequently seen on the surface of the attached gingiva

formation of pus

receptor of taste on the tongue and oropharynx; goblet-shaped cells oriented at right angles to the surface of the epithelium