Periodontal disease confined to the gingiva is generally considered to be:

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Multiple Choice

Periodontal disease confined to the gingiva is generally considered to be:

Gingival disease confined to the gingiva is gingivitis, an inflammatory response that does not involve loss of connective tissue attachment or bone. Because the damage is limited to the soft tissues, reversing the condition is possible with effective plaque control and removal of etiologic factors; once the inflammation subsides, the gingiva can return to normal. If the disease progresses to involve the deeper supporting structures, the changes become irreversible. Terms describing progression or chronicity refer to course or duration rather than the tissue involvement, so they don’t define gingivitis as reversible.

Gingival disease confined to the gingiva is gingivitis, an inflammatory response that does not involve loss of connective tissue attachment or bone. Because the damage is limited to the soft tissues, reversing the condition is possible with effective plaque control and removal of etiologic factors; once the inflammation subsides, the gingiva can return to normal. If the disease progresses to involve the deeper supporting structures, the changes become irreversible. Terms describing progression or chronicity refer to course or duration rather than the tissue involvement, so they don’t define gingivitis as reversible.

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