Gingival sulcus

Gingival sulcus
Details
Identifiers
Latinsulcus gingivalis
TA98A05.1.01.111
TA22793
FMA74580
Anatomical terminology
A) Crown of the tooth, covered by enamel
B) Root of the tooth, covered by cementum
C) Alveolar bone
D) Subepithelial connective tissue
E) Oral epithelium
F) Free gingival margin
G) Gingival sulcus
H) Principal gingival fibers
I) Alveolar crest fibers of the periodontal ligament (PDL)
J) Horizontal fibers of the PDL
K) Oblique fibers of the PDL

In dental anatomy, the gingival sulcus is an area of potential space between a tooth and the surrounding gingival tissue and is lined by sulcular epithelium. The depth of the sulcus (Latin for groove) is bounded by two entities: apically by the gingival fibers of the connective tissue attachment and coronally by the free gingival margin. A healthy sulcular depth is three millimeters or less, which is readily self-cleansable with a properly used toothbrush or the supplemental use of other oral hygiene aids.[citation needed]