National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What type of attachment is formed when healthy gingiva connects to the teeth?

1. Connective

2. Epithelial

3. Bone

4. Muscular

The correct answer is: Epithelial

When healthy gingiva connects to the teeth, the attachment formed is primarily epithelial. Specifically, it refers to the junctional epithelium, which is a specialized type of epithelial tissue that attaches directly to the tooth surface. This connection is crucial because it serves as the biological seal to protect underlying structures from bacterial invasion and helps maintain periodontal health. The junctional epithelium plays an essential role in the overall health of the periodontium, as it adapts to the surface of the teeth and ensures that the gum tissue remains tightly connected to the enamel. This attachment is a fundamental component of the periodontal apparatus, providing support to the teeth while also facilitating the exchange of nutrients and waste between the gingiva and the underlying connective tissues. Other types of attachments, such as connective tissue adhesion, indeed support the teeth and contribute to periodontal health, but they are not the primary attachment form of the gingiva to the teeth. Bone plays a supportive role in tooth stability but does not directly connect to the gingiva, while muscular attachments are relevant to the oral cavity but not specifically to gingival attachment to teeth. Thus, the epithelial attachment is the correct choice in this context, reflecting its specialized function in periodontal integrity.