title: Minor self-inflicted injuries to the gingivae: gingivitis artefacta minor.
abstract: Three young patients with gingival injuries that were self-inflicted by a fingernail habit are presented. In each case the habit, which was provoked by a pre-existing locus of irritation, was stoped as soon as the locus (or trigger) was identified and treated. A distinction is drawn between these types of cases, (gingivitis artefacta minor), and those of gingivitis artefacta major where the habit is more deeply entrenched and the implications more serious.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000293:injuries*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans