Morphological study of the palatal gingiva of the maxillary first molar in the type 2 diabetes mellitus model rat.

SUMMARY: We studied morphological changes at the maxillary first molar in a model rat for type 2 spontaneous diabetes mellitus (DM), the Goto-Kazizaki (GK) rat, vs. the normal 8-week-old Wistar rat. Serial frontal sections of the gingiva of the maxilla with the bone were prepared from the rats. Image analyses, performed on light micrographs of the hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens, allowed comparison of the thickness of the keratinized, granular, prickle, and basal layers. In addition, the cell population of the granular and prickle layers and the cross-sectional area of the connective tissue beneath the mucosal epithelium were examined. The thickness of the capillary of the maxillary first molar was determined by image analysis of scanning electron micrographs of microvascular corrosion cast specimens. We found that the thickness of the keratinized, granular, and prickle layers was significantly higher in the DM vs. normal group, as were the cell population of the granular and prickle layers. In contrast, the cross-sectional area of the connective tissue beneath the mucosal epithelium, and the thickness of the capillary were significantly lower in the DM vs. normal sections. Therefore, we consider that the DM-associated hyperglycemia causes hypertrophy of the mucosal epithelium, atrophy of the connective tissue beneath the mucosal epithelium, and microangiopathy of the capillary of the palatal gingiva of the maxillary first molar in the GK rat.

Effect of pregnancy on periodontal and dental health.

Clinical studies have shown that oral tissues can be affected by pregnancy. Pregnancy-related changes are most frequent and most marked in gingival tissue. Pregnancy does not cause gingivitis, but may aggravate pre-existing disease. The most marked changes are seen in gingival vasculature. Characteristic of pregnancy gingivitis is that the gingiva is dark red, swollen, smooth and bleeds easily. Women with pregnancy gingivitis may sometimes develop localized gingival enlargements. The gingival changes usually resolve within a few months of delivery if local irritants are eliminated. The inflammatory changes are usually restricted to the gingiva and probably do not cause permanent changes in periodontal tissues more often than those in the non-pregnant state. Although it is widely believed that pregnancy is harmful to the teeth, the effect of pregnancy on the initiation or progression of caries is not clear. Previous studies, however, indicate that the teeth do not soften, i.e. no significant withdrawal of calcium or other minerals occurs in the teeth. It is mainly the environment of the tooth that is affected. The number of certain salivary cariogenic microorganisms may increase in pregnancy, concurrently with a decrease in salivary pH and buffer effect. Changes in salivary composition in late pregnancy and during lactation may temporarily predispose to dental caries and erosion. Although their underlying mechanisms of action are not fully understood, pregnancy-related changes in the oral environment may have some untoward temporary or permanent effects on oral health. Most of these effects could be avoided by practising good oral hygiene.

Hemopatías: sus manifestaciones orales / Hemopathies: it's oral manifestations

La mucosa oral es frecuentemente asiento de lesiones vinculadas a enfermedades sistémicas, y dentro de éstas destacamos las discrasias sanguíneas. Se estudiaron en el Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, 15 pacientes con patologías de la mucosa oral cuyas enfermedades de base fueron leucemia, aplasia medular y linfoma. De estos, 10 presentaron manifestaciones hemorragíparas, 7 pacientes con lesiones ulceronecróticas y 2 casos de hipertrofia gingival por infiltración neoplásica

Hemopatías: sus manifestaciones orales / Hemopathies: its oral manifestations

La mucosa oral es frecuentemente asiento de lesiones vinculadas a enfermedades sistémicas, y dentro de éstas destacamos las discrasias sanguíneas. Se estudiaron en el Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, 15 pacientes con patologías de la mucosa oral cuyas enfermedades de base fueron leucemia, aplasia medular y linfoma. De estos, 10 presentaron manifestaciones hemorragíparas, 7 pacientes con lesiones ulceronecróticas y 2 casos de hipertrofia gingival por infiltración neoplásica

Oral symptoms as a chief sign of acute monoblastic leukemia: report of case.

The importance of the identification of acute gingival hypertrophy in the subsequent recognition of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia is emphasized. Dental and medical personnel are urged to be alert to oral signs and symptoms that may be characteristic of serious systemic diseases.