True or False: With gingivitis, there is destruction of bone or periodontal ligament tissues.

The correct answer is based on the definition of gingivitis and its effects on oral tissues. Gingivitis is characterized by inflammation of the gingiva, which is the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth. This condition primarily affects the gum tissues and does not involve the destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth, such as bone or periodontal ligament tissues.

In prevalence, gingivitis can be considered a reversible condition if appropriately treated, and the underlying structures remain intact without any loss. The statement that gingivitis entails destruction of bone or periodontal ligament tissues is not accurate; this level of tissue destruction is associated with periodontal disease, which follows gingivitis if the inflammation is allowed to persist without intervention.

In contrast, chronic cases or advanced stages refer to periodontal disease, where there is progression beyond gingivitis, resulting in potential damage to the bone and connective tissues supporting the teeth. Thus, affirming that gingivitis alone causes tissue destruction is misrepresentative of the condition itself.