Crevicular Epithelium Research Articles

The cyclic phenomenon of periodontitis

Based on microscopic sections of eighteen human jaws, the constancy of seven measured distances, limited by anatomic and pathologic landmarks within the periodontium, was determined and their relationship to local pathologic factors was tested. The type of tooth, type of tooth surface (mesial or distal), and the presence of an approximating tooth had no effect on the mean lengths of the distances. Of the measurements made, the distance from the bottom of the calculus to the alveolar crest was found to be the most constant, having a mean length of 1.97 mm. and a coefficient of variation of 33.16 per cent. The length of the epithelial attachment was found to be the most variable structure of the periodontium. By analyzing the incidence of local pathologic factors in relation to each other, it was found that the degree of inflammation of the lamina propria and the degree of ulceration of the marginal epithelium could be predicted from the shape of the supragingival calculus; also, that the degree of ulceration of the crevicular epithelium could be predicted by the shape of subgingival calculus. One local pathologic factor, subgingival calculus, had an effect on three of the distances: (1) bottom of calculus to the bottom of the epithelial attachment, (2) bottom of calculus to the alveolar crest, and (3) bottom of calculus to deepest level of inflammatory cells. The mean lengths of these distances were greater in relation to scaly subgingival calculus than to nodular subgingival calculus. From these results a hypothesis is advanced that the alternating formation of scaly and nodular calculus on the tooth surface represents a cycle, which can be broken down into the following stages: 1. Stage I. Gradual breakdown of papillary structure. 1.1. Phase 1. Scaly calculus formation. 1.2. Phase 2. Nodular calculus formation. 2. Stage II. Severance of papillary structure. 3. Stage III. Recovery with rebuilding of a new papillary structure.

The relation of the inner border of bacterial film on the tooth within the gingival crevice to the zone of disintegrating epithelial attachment cuticle

The inner (apexward) border of the bacterial film on the tooth within the gingival crevice extends right to and usually overlaps the outer (occlusal-ward) border of the zdeac. The attached bacterial film consists of a pack of more or less parallel long rods and filaments, one end attached to the tooth and the other extending outward (from the tooth) into the narrow space between this film and the crevicular epithelium. There is a great abundance of spirochetal organisms closely associated with the growing ends and fruiting heads in this space, especially the space immediately over the zdeac.

Report of the histopathologic study of the jaws of a diet-deficient monkey, and its relation to Vincent's infection

Study of the sections from the jaws of a monkey which lived on a deficient diet during a six-month voyage and died the day of arrival shows changes similar to those resulting from a dietary deficiency described by other investigators. Vincent's infection with necrosis of the papillae was demonstrated by clinical signs and verified histologically. A study of the developing teeth confirmed, furthermore, a diagnosis of ascorbic acid deficiency, the relationship of the enamel-dentine width being of diagnostic importance. In man, the breakdown of the crevicular epithelium and the epithelial attachment in Vincent's infection histologically is the same as found in this monkey. From this we may conclude that Vincent's infection may not be a contagious disease but a manifestation of a dietary disease with the fusospirochetal flora superimposed.