Gingival Index
Also written as: GI — Gingival Index
A clinical scoring system used to assess the severity and extent of gingival inflammation based on colour, contour, and bleeding response.
Full Definition
The Gingival Index (GI), developed by Löe and Silness, assigns a score of 0–3 to each gingival unit based on visual signs of inflammation and the tendency to bleed on gentle probing. It is used by dental hygienists to quantify gingival health at baseline and to monitor treatment outcomes over time. A score of 0 indicates healthy tissue, while a score of 3 indicates severe inflammation with spontaneous bleeding. Editors must distinguish this index from the Plaque Index, which measures microbial deposits rather than tissue response. It appears frequently in periodontal research articles and clinical case documentation.
Usage
Usage note: GI should be expanded to 'Gingival Index' on first use. Do not confuse with gastrointestinal (GI) in dual-specialty documents.
In Context
- "The clinician recorded a mean Gingival Index score of 1.8, indicating mild generalised inflammation before treatment." — Clinical case report
- "Ensure 'Gingival Index' is not abbreviated to 'GI' on first use without the full form in parentheses." — Editorial style note