Association between plaque accumulation and Langerhans cell numbers in the oral epithelium of attached gingiva |
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Authors: | G M Newcomb G J Seymour R N Powell |
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Institution: | Department of Dentistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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Abstract: | Abstract After gingival health had been achieved in four subjects they were instructed to cease all oral hygiene measures. At 0, 8 and 21 days Plaque and Gingival Indices were recorded and gingival biopsies were removed from the buccal aspect of a first molar. Frozen sections of the gingival oral epithelium were stained for ATPase and 5′-nucleotidase to determine the number of Langerhans cells in a defined cross-sectional area. It was found that, as plaque accumulated, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of Langerhans cells in oral epithelium, particularly in the stratum spinosum. These results indicate that dental plaque can elicit a response in Langerhans cells located in the oral epithelium of the gingiva. |
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Keywords: | Dental plaque gingiva histochemistry Langerhans cells |
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