The formation of the vasculature of free gingiva in deciduous teeth of cats and dogs

Vital microscopy, silicone rubber perfusion and histologic techniques were applied in a study of the development of the gingival vascular morphology in cats and dogs, during and following eruption of the deciduous canines and molars. It was found that vascular and histological events associated with the organisation of the capillaries in crestal gingiva predominated during the early stages of eruption. Vascular remodelling during the later stages of tooth eruption occurred in apical gingiva and was associated with apparent degeneration and loss of some vessels. A regular vascular network, comparable to that described by Hock and Nuki (1971), was found in all gingival specimens examined prior to the onset of clinical gingivitis.