DANB General Chairside Practice Test

In the patient periodontal record, which aspect of the gingiva do the terms bulbous, flattened, punched out, and/or cratered describe?

1. Color

2. Consistency

3. Contour

4. Height

The correct answer is: Contour

The terms bulbous, flattened, punched out, and cratered specifically describe the contour of the gingiva in a periodontal record. Contour refers to the shape and form of the gingival tissues, which can exhibit various appearances based on periodontal health or disease. For instance, a bulbous contour indicates an enlarged or rounded appearance, often associated with inflammation. A flattened contour may suggest a loss of tissue prominence, while punched out or cratered contours indicate significant tissue loss, which is commonly seen in advanced periodontal disease such as necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. Understanding these descriptors is vital in assessing the periodontal status of a patient, as changes in contour can provide insight into underlying pathological processes and help guide treatment planning.