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A Stereomicroscopic and Immunohistochemical Study of Vasculature in Gingiva Bleeding After Probing
Author(s) -
Fu Earl,
Nieh Shin
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1992.63.12.997
Subject(s) - vascularity , medicine , connective tissue , immunohistochemistry , pathology , bleeding on probing , staining , dentistry , periodontal disease
T his study investigated the stereomicroscopic appearance of gingival sulcular surfaces and the histologic alterations of subepithelial vasculature of gingiva bleeding after probing. Sixty‐four pairs of gingival biopsies from 49 patients were obtained and the results of stereomicroscopically visible vasculature were observed in half of the specimens. The number of biopsies showing that the vasculature of bleeding gingiva was significantly greater than those of non‐bleeding gingiva. The immunohistochemical marker UEA‐1 was used to identify endothelial cells on the vascular walls of 34 gingival biopsies from 15 patients. Following stereomicroscopic examination, tissue preparation with routine and UEA‐1 stainings was performed. Volumetric and numerical analyses of vasculature in 6 divided portions of subepithelial connective tissue were measured. The results showed that significantly greater numbers of UEA‐1 staining vessels were found within the apico‐superficial portion of bleeding gingiva than those of non‐bleeding gingiva. However, there was no specific correlation between the UEA‐1 positive vessels within gingival tissue and stereomicroscopic visibility of vasculature on the surface appearance. It is suggested that increased vascularity in gingiva may be responsible for bleeding on clinical probing. J Periodontol 1992; 63:997–1004.