Stewart D J
J Clin Periodontol. 1976 May;3(2):128-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1976.tb01859.x.
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.
