Traditionally, which two parts comprise the gingiva?

Study for the Pediatric Dentistry II Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

The gingiva is made up of two main parts: free (marginal) gingiva and attached gingiva. The free gingiva forms the scalloped collar around the tooth and ends at the gingival sulcus; it is not tightly bound to underlying bone. The attached gingiva is firmly connected to the underlying alveolar bone and cementum, extending from the mucogingival junction to the free gingival margin. Together, these two portions comprise the gingival tissue surrounding teeth. The gingival sulcus and interdental papilla are important features within this region, but they are not the two primary divisions of the gingiva. Masticatory and alveolar mucosa describe different types of oral mucosa, not the gingiva itself.