Premium
The structure of subgingival plaque in a beagle dog
Author(s) -
Soames J. V.,
Davies R. M.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of periodontal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0765
pISSN - 0022-3484
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0765.1974.tb00688.x
Subject(s) - spirochaete , beagle , premolar , junctional epithelium , dentistry , dental plaque , population , medicine , biology , epithelium , bacteria , pathology , genetics , environmental health , molar
The maxillary canines and second and third premolar teeth, together with supporting bone and gingival tissues, were surgically removed from a nine month old Beagle dog. All the gingival units showed clinical signs of gingivitis. At the orifice of the gingival crevice the plaque comprised a dense, mixed bacterial population. Within the crevice spirochaetes were first observed in association with other Gram‐negative bacteria, but more apically they appeared to be the only organisms present. Coronally the spirochaetes were aligned parallel to one another and at right angles to the tooth surface. More apically the spirochaetes were loosely arranged and randomly orientated within a finely granular material. Occasionally spirochaetes were seen within the widened intercellular spaces of the superficial layers of sulcular epithelium. Beyond the spirochaete zone the attachment of the junctional epithelium to the enamel had been destroyed. It is suggested that the characteristic distribution and arrangement of spirochaetes within the gingival crevice is related to the growth requirements of these organisms.