title: Stereological observations on long-term experimental gingivitis in man.
abstract: The purpose of the present investigation was to study stereologically the histopathologic changes in the gingiva during 6 months of abolished oral hygiene and to study the development of chronic gingivitis in man. After a thorough prophylaxis procedure, 5 dental students performed optimal oral hygiene under supervision for a period of 3 weeks. At the end of this pre-experimental phase, they were asked to abolish all oral hygiene procedures for 4 (2 individuals) to 6 months (3 individuals). At day 21, and after 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months, the gingival exudate flow rate and the gingival index were assessed, and buccal gingival biopsies taken. Semi-thin histologic sections were stained with basic fuchsine and methylene blue. By point counting at 2 different levels of magnification, the volume densities of epithelium, infiltrated (ICT) and non-infiltrated connective tissue, and collagen were estimated. The %s of fibroblasts, PMN's lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages were estimated in a predetermined standardized area close to the apical termination of the junctional epithelium. With increasing time, the volume densities of the ICT rose concomitantly with a decrease in the volume densities of the collagen. In spite of great interindividual variations, a slow shift in the proportions of some cell populations was consistently observed. While the fraction of PMN's, lymphocytes and macrophages remained stable, a decrease of fibro-blasts (57 to 39%) and an increase of plasma cells (0.2 to 10%) was observed. This study has, therefore, demonstrated that, in 6 months of plaque accumulation, a chronic gingivitis with a predominance of PMN's and lymphocytes develops.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Brecx
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fröhlicher
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gehr
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010950:Plasma Cells