ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The gingiva is part of the masticatory mucosa that provides an internal defense mechanism against pathogens and mechanical stress. It is composed of a dense, vascular fibrous tissue with a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

Detailed explanation-2: -The attached gingiva is the part that tightly binds to the underlying periodontium, tooth, and bone. Keratinized tissue extends from the gingival margin to the mucogingival junction. Both free and attached gingiva are keratinized.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gingival fibers are the connective tissue fibers which are found in the gingival tissue adjacent to the teeth. They aid in holding the gum tissue firmly against the teeth. They are primarily composed of type I collagen, however, type III fibers are also involved. These fibers connect the tooth to the gingival tissue.

Detailed explanation-4: -Oral gingival epithelium is keratinized while the sulcular and junctional epithelia (JE) as well as the lining mucosa are not keratinized (14).

Detailed explanation-5: -Gingival epithelium is made up of three components: oral (OE), sulcular (SE) and junctional epithelium (JE) [85]. The OE is a keratinizing form of epithelium and provides a very effective physical barrier to microbial invasion of the underlying gingival connective tissue (CT).