Role of Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Periodontics

Gingival epithelium is a unique tissue. Gingival Crevicular Fluid(GCF) plays a special part in maintaining the structure of junctional epithelium and in the anti microbial defense of periodontium. GCF is a complex mixture of substance derived from serum leukocytes, connective tissue, epithelium, inflammatory cells and microbial flora inhabitating the gingival margin of the sulcus. The main route of the gingival fluid diffusion is through the relatively wide intercellular spaces of junctional epithelium and then into the sulcus. The flow rate of GCF may increase about 30-fold in periodontitis compared to the healthy sulcus. This book reviews the summary of Gingival crevicular fluid as a diagnostic tool in gingivitis and periodontitis.