Dentogingival junction
BDS III Lectures
Dr. S. Singh
Three zones of the gingival epithelium
Crevicular (or
sulcular)
epithelium
Junctional
epithelium
Oral
epithelium
Dentogingival junction
 Defined as the oral epithelium that extends from the
mucogingival junction to the gingival margin where
crevicular/sulcular epithelium lines the sulcus
 At the base of the sulcus  connection between gingiva and
tooth is mediated with JUNCTIONAL EPITHELIUM
Junctional epithelium
 Derived from REE
 In health, JE lies against the enamel and extends to the CEJ
 Base of gingival crevice is the free surface of the JE
 JE is very fragile and does not form a barrier against probing
 Cells are large and loosely connected together
 Attach via hemidesmosomes to the tooth surface, with fewer
tonofilaments and desmosomal junctions
 About 40 cells long from apex to sulcular surface
 Undergoes constant renewal of cells by cell division, with no
keratinized surface epithelium
Mild gingival inflammation:
 In health or mild gingival inflammation, sulcus has a depth of 0.5-
3mm
 Average of 1.8-2mm
 Any depth that is greater than 3mm is regarded as PATHOLOGIC
(periodontal pocket)
 The sulcus contains fluid that passes through the JE – purpose of
the fluid
 Defense mechanism of the DGJ
 Washes the crevice, carrying out shed epithelial cells, leucocytes,
bacteria and other debris
 Plasma proteins may influence epithelial attachment to the tooth
 Contains antimicrobial agenst (lysozymes)
 Carries PMN’s, leucocytes, macropahges, immunoglobulins