A recession measurement represents what?

• A. The depth of a periodontal pocket
• B. The distance from the CEJ to the gingival margin indicating gingival recession.
• C. The width of the attached gingiva
• D. The root length

Answer: (B)

Gingival recession is measured as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the gingival margin. The cementoenamel junction is a fixed reference point on the tooth, so the amount the gingival margin has moved apically from that point tells you how much recession has occurred. This differs from pocket depth (which measures from the gingival margin to the base of a pocket), the width of attached gingiva (from the gingival margin to the mucogingival junction), and root length (a tooth dimension). Clinically, you’d use a periodontal probe along the facial aspect to determine how far the gingival margin sits from the CEJ, giving the recession measurement.