Shallow space coronal to attachment of the junctional epithelium. It is bound by tooth and sulcular epithelium on either side. The coronal extent of gingival sulcus is the gingival margin.
The space or crevice between the free gingiva and the tooth surface. The healthy sulcus produces gingival sulcular fluid (GSF), which helps remove bacteria from the sulcus. Normal sulcus depth is 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Inflammation in the sulcus is the first sign of gingivitis. When enlarged by disease, the gingival sulcus deepens and becomes a periodontal pocket.