The gum tissue which surrounds the teeth. This tissue is firmly attached to the underlying bone and tooth and is keratinized. It is the same type of tissue as on the roof of the mouth.

A type of soft tissue graft which transplants only the gingival epithelium. It is performed to increase the amount of attached gingiva around a tooth. This creates a better seal between the tooth and gum and prevents recession.

The point on the tooth where the gum tissue meets the clinical crown of the tooth. Also known as the gumline.

A reversible, early infection of the gums. It is caused by bacterial plaque. It begins as the bacterial plaque in the mouth overgrows on the teeth near the gumline. In response to this bacterial overgrowth the gums become red, swollen and may begin to bleed with normal brushing and flossing. The treatment for gingivitis is improved oral hygiene (i.e. plaque …

Also known as hemoglobin A1c: A blood test for patients with diabetes mellitus which shows how well controlled their blood sugar has been over the previous six to twelve weeks. Well controlled diabetics score below 6%. Scores of 8% or more show poor diabetic control and may indicate that some elective dental procedures need to be delayed until the patient’s …

An infection of the gum tissue, usually caused by overgrowth of bacterial plaque, but may also be caused by viruses, hormonal changes and medications. There are many forms of gum disease, including gingivitis, and multiple forms of periodontitis.

Also know as a gingival graft. A type of soft tissue graft which is used to add more keratinized gingiva to a tooth.

A catch all term used to denote an infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. Also known as periodontitis, gingivitis, pyorrhea, gum disease.

The point on the tooth where the gum meets the clinical crown of the tooth. Also known as the gingival margin.

A smile which displays an excessive amount of gum tissue. This may be due to an abnormally long upper jaw or may be due to a process called altered passive eruption in which the teeth do not erupt properly (often due to orthodontic tooth movement) resulting in an excessive amount of gum tissue remaining over the enamel of the teeth.