Vascular expansion in chronic periodontitis

Animal studies have demonstrated expansion and remodelling of gingival blood vessels in inflamed gingival tissues. However, there is a paucity of information, regarding the vascular response in human gingivitis and periodontitis. In this study, gingival biopsies were obtained from 51 separate patients. Fifteen minimally inflamed, 16 gingivitis and 20 periodontitis specimens were studied. Gingival biopsies were divided into five fields, and a quantitative survey of vascular changes was performed. In fields adjacent to the bacterial plaque irritant, vessel profiles were increased in number with the development of the advanced periodontal lesion. The diameter of blood vessels throughout the entire thickness of gingival biopsies was found to increase with advancing periodontal disease. It is concluded that considerable remodelling of the gingival vasculature occurs in chronic periodontitis, and that this may contribute to the tissue destruction seen in this disease.