Changes in nerve supply to aging human gingiva.
The innervation of the gingivae of dentulous and edentulous individuals was studied. There was a decrease in the number of nerves in the gingivae of dentulous individuals. The nerves present showed degenerative changes such as fibrosis, fragmentation, and reticulation. In the edentulous gingivae, there was a marked loss of nerves and terminal endings. Nerves observed were restricted to the base of the lamina propria adjacent to the underlying bone.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000473:pathology; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure