Gingival Index (Loe-Silness Index)

The Gingival Index (GI), also known as the Loe-Silness Index, is a standardized clinician-rated assessment tool for measuring the severity of gingival inflammation and periodontal disease. Developed by Loe and Silness in 1963, the GI remains the gold standard for quantifying gum inflammation in clinical research and practice. It grades inflammation on a 0-3 ordinal scale based on visual appearance and bleeding response, enabling objective assessment of periodontal health, monitoring of periodontal disease progression, and evaluation of treatment efficacy.