FOUNDATIONS OF PERIODONTICS FOR THE DENTAL
HYGIENIST, 6TH EDITION COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK
Exam Questions With Detailed Rationales | 2026-2027
Edition Jill S. Gehrig & Daniel E. Shin | Complete Chapters
1-38 | A+ Guide
CORE DOMAINS COVERED:
• The Periodontium in Health - Tooth-supporting structures, microscopic anatomy,
gingival tissue, periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone
• Diseases Affecting the Periodontium - Gingival diseases, periodontitis
staging/grading, mucogingival deformities, peri-implant diseases, acute periodontal
conditions
• Etiologic Factors - Dental biofilm, risk factors, host immunoinflammatory response,
systemic disease impact, tobacco, nutrition, local contributing factors
• Assessment & Planning - Clinical periodontal assessment, radiographic analysis,
clinical decision-making, shared decision-making, motivational interviewing
• Implementation of Therapy - Nonsurgical periodontal therapy, patient self-care,
irrigation, chemotherapeutics, host modulation, surgical concepts, maintenance
• Other Aspects - Documentation, insurance reporting, pediatric periodontology, oral
malodor, xerostomia, future directions
• Comprehensive Patient Cases - Radiographic analysis, integrated patient
management
PART 1: THE PERIODONTIUM IN HEALTH
Chapter 1: Periodontium: The Tooth-Supporting Structures
1. Which of the following structures is NOT a component of the periodontium?
A. Alveolar bone
B. Cementum
,C. Enamel
D. Periodontal ligament
Answer: C. Enamel
Rationale: The periodontium consists of the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum,
and alveolar bone. Enamel is part of the tooth crown but not a supporting structure. Damage
to enamel does not directly affect tooth support.
2. The primary cells responsible for resorbing alveolar bone in periodontitis are:
A. Osteoblasts
B. Cementoblasts
C. Osteoclasts
D. Fibroblasts
Answer: C. Osteoclasts
Rationale: Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that resorb bone. In periodontitis,
inflammatory mediators activate osteoclasts, leading to alveolar bone loss. Osteoblasts form
bone, cementoblasts form cementum, and fibroblasts produce collagen.
3. The gingival epithelium that faces the tooth surface and is attached to the tooth via
hemidesmosomes is the:
A. Oral epithelium
B. Sulcular epithelium
C. Junctional epithelium
D. Crevicular epithelium
Answer: C. Junctional epithelium
Rationale: The junctional epithelium is a specialized epithelium that attaches to the
tooth surface via hemidesmosomes and the internal basal lamina. It forms the base of the
gingival sulcus and provides a seal against bacterial invasion.
4. Which of the following describes the function of the periodontal ligament?
,A. Provides blood supply to the gingiva
B. Anchors the tooth to the alveolar bone and absorbs occlusal forces
C. Forms the outer layer of the tooth root
D. Produces enamel
Answer: B. Anchors the tooth to the alveolar bone and absorbs occlusal forces
Rationale: The periodontal ligament consists of collagen fibers that connect cementum
to alveolar bone, anchoring the tooth and acting as a shock absorber during mastication. It
also contains blood vessels, nerves, and cells.
5. The alveolar bone proper is also known as:
A. Cancellous bone
B. Cortical bone
C. Cribriform plate
D. Trabecular bone
Answer: C. Cribriform plate
Rationale: The alveolar bone proper is the thin layer of bone that lines the tooth socket
(alveolus). It is also called the cribriform plate or lamina dura. It contains perforations
through which blood vessels and nerves pass.
6. Cementum is unique among dental tissues because it:
A. Is the hardest substance in the body
B. Is continuously deposited throughout life
C. Contains no cells
D. Is formed by ameloblasts
Answer: B. Is continuously deposited throughout life
Rationale: Cementum is continuously deposited by cementoblasts throughout life in
response to tooth wear and occlusal forces. This characteristic allows for compensation of
tooth attrition and maintenance of occlusal relationships.
7. The gingival sulcus is the space between:
, A. The tooth and the alveolar bone
B. The free gingiva and the tooth surface
C. The attached gingiva and the alveolar mucosa
D. The papilla and the tooth
Answer: B. The free gingiva and the tooth surface
Rationale: The gingival sulcus is the shallow space between the free gingiva and the
tooth surface. In health, its depth is typically 1-3 mm. It is lined by sulcular epithelium and
contains gingival crevicular fluid.
8. Sharpey's fibers are:
A. Elastic fibers found in the gingiva
B. Collagen fibers embedded in cementum and alveolar bone
C. Nerve fibers in the periodontal ligament
D. Muscle fibers in the tongue
Answer: B. Collagen fibers embedded in cementum and alveolar bone
Rationale: Sharpey's fibers are the terminal portions of periodontal ligament collagen
fibers that are embedded in cementum and alveolar bone. They provide attachment of the
tooth to the surrounding bone.
9. Which of the following is a function of the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)?
A. Lubricates the tooth surface only
B. Cleanses the gingival sulcus and contains immunologic components
C. Provides nutrients to enamel
D. Produces dental plaque
Answer: B. Cleanses the gingival sulcus and contains immunologic components
Rationale: GCF is a serum-like fluid that flows from the gingival sulcus. It cleanses the
sulcus, contains antibodies and immune cells, and its flow increases with inflammation.
GCF is an important component of the host defense system.
10. The mucogingival junction is the line of demarcation between:
HYGIENIST, 6TH EDITION COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK
Exam Questions With Detailed Rationales | 2026-2027
Edition Jill S. Gehrig & Daniel E. Shin | Complete Chapters
1-38 | A+ Guide
CORE DOMAINS COVERED:
• The Periodontium in Health - Tooth-supporting structures, microscopic anatomy,
gingival tissue, periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone
• Diseases Affecting the Periodontium - Gingival diseases, periodontitis
staging/grading, mucogingival deformities, peri-implant diseases, acute periodontal
conditions
• Etiologic Factors - Dental biofilm, risk factors, host immunoinflammatory response,
systemic disease impact, tobacco, nutrition, local contributing factors
• Assessment & Planning - Clinical periodontal assessment, radiographic analysis,
clinical decision-making, shared decision-making, motivational interviewing
• Implementation of Therapy - Nonsurgical periodontal therapy, patient self-care,
irrigation, chemotherapeutics, host modulation, surgical concepts, maintenance
• Other Aspects - Documentation, insurance reporting, pediatric periodontology, oral
malodor, xerostomia, future directions
• Comprehensive Patient Cases - Radiographic analysis, integrated patient
management
PART 1: THE PERIODONTIUM IN HEALTH
Chapter 1: Periodontium: The Tooth-Supporting Structures
1. Which of the following structures is NOT a component of the periodontium?
A. Alveolar bone
B. Cementum
,C. Enamel
D. Periodontal ligament
Answer: C. Enamel
Rationale: The periodontium consists of the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum,
and alveolar bone. Enamel is part of the tooth crown but not a supporting structure. Damage
to enamel does not directly affect tooth support.
2. The primary cells responsible for resorbing alveolar bone in periodontitis are:
A. Osteoblasts
B. Cementoblasts
C. Osteoclasts
D. Fibroblasts
Answer: C. Osteoclasts
Rationale: Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that resorb bone. In periodontitis,
inflammatory mediators activate osteoclasts, leading to alveolar bone loss. Osteoblasts form
bone, cementoblasts form cementum, and fibroblasts produce collagen.
3. The gingival epithelium that faces the tooth surface and is attached to the tooth via
hemidesmosomes is the:
A. Oral epithelium
B. Sulcular epithelium
C. Junctional epithelium
D. Crevicular epithelium
Answer: C. Junctional epithelium
Rationale: The junctional epithelium is a specialized epithelium that attaches to the
tooth surface via hemidesmosomes and the internal basal lamina. It forms the base of the
gingival sulcus and provides a seal against bacterial invasion.
4. Which of the following describes the function of the periodontal ligament?
,A. Provides blood supply to the gingiva
B. Anchors the tooth to the alveolar bone and absorbs occlusal forces
C. Forms the outer layer of the tooth root
D. Produces enamel
Answer: B. Anchors the tooth to the alveolar bone and absorbs occlusal forces
Rationale: The periodontal ligament consists of collagen fibers that connect cementum
to alveolar bone, anchoring the tooth and acting as a shock absorber during mastication. It
also contains blood vessels, nerves, and cells.
5. The alveolar bone proper is also known as:
A. Cancellous bone
B. Cortical bone
C. Cribriform plate
D. Trabecular bone
Answer: C. Cribriform plate
Rationale: The alveolar bone proper is the thin layer of bone that lines the tooth socket
(alveolus). It is also called the cribriform plate or lamina dura. It contains perforations
through which blood vessels and nerves pass.
6. Cementum is unique among dental tissues because it:
A. Is the hardest substance in the body
B. Is continuously deposited throughout life
C. Contains no cells
D. Is formed by ameloblasts
Answer: B. Is continuously deposited throughout life
Rationale: Cementum is continuously deposited by cementoblasts throughout life in
response to tooth wear and occlusal forces. This characteristic allows for compensation of
tooth attrition and maintenance of occlusal relationships.
7. The gingival sulcus is the space between:
, A. The tooth and the alveolar bone
B. The free gingiva and the tooth surface
C. The attached gingiva and the alveolar mucosa
D. The papilla and the tooth
Answer: B. The free gingiva and the tooth surface
Rationale: The gingival sulcus is the shallow space between the free gingiva and the
tooth surface. In health, its depth is typically 1-3 mm. It is lined by sulcular epithelium and
contains gingival crevicular fluid.
8. Sharpey's fibers are:
A. Elastic fibers found in the gingiva
B. Collagen fibers embedded in cementum and alveolar bone
C. Nerve fibers in the periodontal ligament
D. Muscle fibers in the tongue
Answer: B. Collagen fibers embedded in cementum and alveolar bone
Rationale: Sharpey's fibers are the terminal portions of periodontal ligament collagen
fibers that are embedded in cementum and alveolar bone. They provide attachment of the
tooth to the surrounding bone.
9. Which of the following is a function of the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)?
A. Lubricates the tooth surface only
B. Cleanses the gingival sulcus and contains immunologic components
C. Provides nutrients to enamel
D. Produces dental plaque
Answer: B. Cleanses the gingival sulcus and contains immunologic components
Rationale: GCF is a serum-like fluid that flows from the gingival sulcus. It cleanses the
sulcus, contains antibodies and immune cells, and its flow increases with inflammation.
GCF is an important component of the host defense system.
10. The mucogingival junction is the line of demarcation between:
