Periodontics · single question
Which of the following provides effective MECHANICAL protection of the gingival sulcus against periodontal pathogens?
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Correct answer: A. Epithelial shedding (desquamation of junctional epithelium)
- A. CORRECT. The junctional epithelium undergoes rapid turnover (desquamation) every 4–6 days. This continuous shedding of epithelial cells physically sweeps bacteria away from the sulcular surface, providing mechanical cleansing. This is the junctional epithelium's primary non-immunologic defense mechanism.
- B. Proteases are virulence factors released by periodontal pathogens to degrade host tissues — they harm rather than protect the sulcus.
- C. Antigen-presenting cells (dendritic cells, macrophages) provide IMMUNOLOGICAL protection, not mechanical protection. They process and present antigens to T-cells to initiate immune responses.
- D. Periodontal pocket formation represents disease progression — the normal sulcus is protected by epithelial shedding and sulcular fluid flow, whereas a deepened pocket is a diseased environment.