REVIEW OF PERIODONTAL ANATOMY IN HEALTH
The gingiva is the tissue that covers the cervical portions of the teeth and the alveolar processes of the jaws.
1. The Free Gingiva
a. The free gingiva is the unattached portion of the gingiva that surrounds the
tooth in the region of the cemento-enamel junction. It is also known as the
unattached gingiva or the marginal gingiva.
b. The free gingiva surrounds the tooth in a turtleneck or cufflike manner.
c. The tissue of the free gingiva fits closely around the tooth but is not directly
attached to it. This tissue, because it is unattached, may be stretched away from
the tooth surface with a periodontal probe.
d. The free gingiva also forms the soft tissue wall of the gingival sulcus.
e. The free gingiva meets the tooth in a thin, rounded edge called the gingival
margin.