Page 444 - My FlipBook

292 PATHOLOGY OF THE HAED TISSUES OF THE TEETH.
a reddish line along the gums, sometimes seen in tuberculosis. Gingival margin. The line, or edge
of the gums where thev meet the teeth ; the free edge of the gums."
Dorland's Medical Dictionary gives the definition of gingiva : " That portion of the gum close
about the teeth."
In looking up examples of the use of the word in the Latin, it is found that the plural form
was used much more frequently than the singular, and this is true in English. It is the same in the
use of gum and gums.
In the French language, the word is gencieve, gum or gums.
Probably if we had an English adjective derived from the word gum, as gumal, we would not
have needed the Latin term, but as practically all of the adjectives ending in of, used in dental
nomenclature, are of Latin origin, such an adjective form of the old Saxon word, gum, would look
a bit out of place. An adjective is a necessity.
The word neck, and the Latin equivalent cervix, have had some use in dentistry in which cervical
has been the adjective form. This word was used to represent a constriction or a supposed constric-
tion between the crown of the tooth and its root. As used, its meaning was much too vague to serve
the purposes of modern dentistry. Cervical is now practically obsolete, but the word neck is occa-
sionallv used in a few phrases.
These notes have been written after the book proper was printed, and I find that the use of the
word is always with reference to that portion of the gum tissue close about the teeth. The word
gum is used as synonymous in many places. In a good many expressions it is preferred. Wherever
an adjective form" is necessary, however, gingival is the only word used.
Gingival line is always used to represent the normal line of the attachment of the gum tissue
to the tooth, and the adjective gingival always refers to that line. This is at the junction of the
enamel and cementum. The adverb, gingivally, is always used when the reference is to the crown
of a tooth, a direction toward the gingival line. If it is used with reference to the root of a tooth,
it is also toward the gingival line.
I have generally, but not always, used " free margin of the gum." instead of free margin of the
gingiva, to represent that portion lapping onto the enamel of the teeth. Gum line, as used, means
the line of the extreme edge of the free margin of the gingiva that laps upon the enamel of the teeth.
The fact that a few authors and a few dictionaries have used *' gingival line," to represent the
line of dark color on the gingiva frequently present in lead poisoning, can cause no confusion in the
use of these words in dentistry. This can not be said to be in general use in medical literature.
Gingival. Pertaining to the gingival line: as the curvature of the gingival line;
gingival margin; gingival wall. etc. Pertaining to "that portion of the gums covering
the alveolar processes surrounding the borders of the enamel next to the cementum
and filling the interproximal spaces.
Gingival cvrvatuke. The deviation of the gingival line from the horizontal
in its course around the neck of a tooth; especially of the incisors and cuspids.
Gingival line. The line around the neck of a tooth at which the gingiva is
attached. The line of junction of the enamel and cementum.
Gingivally. A direction from any part of the crown toward the gingival line of
a tooth.
Gingival margin. The portion of the crown, or a surface of the crown of a
tooth next to the gingival line. The margin of a cavity that is toward or next to the
gingival line.
Gingival margin trimmers. Instruments for beveling the cavo-surface angles
of the gingival walls of proximal cavities in the bicuspids and molars.
Gingivitis. Inflammation of the gingivae. See TJlitis. While the term gingivitis
should be limited to inflammation of the soft tissues immediately about the teeth and
covering the borders of the alveolar processes, the term ulitis includes the wider
inflammation areas that include the roof of the mouth and other parts.
Glutinoid. Glutin-like. Any semisolid which resembles glutin, or is glutinous;
sticky, adhesive.
Gnathodynamometer. An instrument for measuring in pounds, kilograms, etc.,
the force exerted in closing the teeth. See Figures 162, 163, Vol. 1.
Gold foil. Thin sheets of gold prepared for filling teeth. The thickness is
expressed in numbers, 1, 2. 3, 4, etc., up to 120. The numbers express the number of
grains of gold in a sheet four inches square. Light foils are those below No. 10.
The heavy foils are those above No. 10.
Gold, non-cohesive. Gold in the form of foil or crystals in which the welding
property is obscured, usually by the condensation of some gaseous substance upon it,
or a film of a salt from the union of two or more gases.
Grasps, instrument. See Instrument grasps.