Metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma from breast mimicking a pyogenic granuloma in the gingiva: a case report.

Mucin-producing adenocarcinomas (MAC) are an extremely rare, indistinct group of neoplasm having either a salivary gland origin or with prominent glandular component. The diagnosis is chiefly based on the histological aspect conjoined with immunohistochemical evaluation as clinico-radiographical features are non-specific. It can arise as a primary metastasis to soft tissues, most commonly from either lung, breast, kidney, or colon. This paper reports a 51-year-old woman with buccolingual gingival swelling having a final diagnosis of metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma from the breast. A tissue biopsy was performed followed by immunohistochemistry that confirmed the diagnosis. They are extremely rare, making the diagnosis challenging as it may mimic a benign neoplasm. It accounts for approximately 1% of all oral malignant neoplasms having gingival propensity. The clinician should therefore take into account every diagnostic aspect while encountering such oral lesions to achieve proper patient welfare.

Injectable platelet rich fibrin effect on laser depigmented gingiva: a clinical randomized controlled split mouth trial with histological assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intra-mucosal injection of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) can promote healing after Diode Laser Gingival Depigmentation (DLGD). METHODOLOGY: A total of 20 arch sites of hyperpigmented gingiva of 10 patients underwent DLGD. For each patient, two arch sites were randomly assigned for either intra-mucosal injection of i-PRF (G1-i-PRF) (n=10 sites) or no treatment (G2-Control): (n=10 sites). Wound Healing Score (WHS), patient satisfaction, and Pigmentation Index (DOPI) were measured at 1 week and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Histological assessment of tissue specimens was performed at baseline and 1 week. RESULTS: The percentage change in WHS at 1 week was significantly higher in G1 (58.34±15.43) compared to G2 (37.50±11.79). At day 1, 50% of patients in G1 were pain free compared with 75% in G2, who had mild pain. Mean DOPI decreased significantly at 3 months in both groups (P-value <0.001), without significant differences between groups. G1 specimens showed significantly higher epithelial thickness (P-value <0.001), as well as a higher number of blood vessels and less percentage of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: i-PRF demonstrated better clinical and histological healing potential and less patient discomfort compared to sites without treatment after DLGD. Registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ as (NCT05283668).

Metastatic Maxillary Gingival Angiosarcoma with Aggressive Growth: A Case Report.

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of endothelial origin. It is an aggressive neoplasm with early metastasis and poor prognosis and accounts for approximately 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Primary tumors arising in the oral cavity account for only 1% of all angiosarcomas. Here, we report a rare case of metastatic angiosarcoma of the gingiva originating from a primary mediastinal lesion. The patient was an 83-year-old man who presented with a maxillary interincisor tumor; it was a painless mass with rounded superficial necrosis measuring 23 mm× 17 mm on the labial side and 20 mm× 17 mm on the palatal side. The histopathological diagnosis was of an epithelioid angiosarcoma. Imaging revealed lesions in the mediastinum, lungs, liver, and skin. The primary lesion was considered a mediastinal lesion. As the tumor had spread throughout the body, palliative therapy was administered. However, the patient's general condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died 3 weeks after the first visit. Identifying oral metastatic malignancies may result in detection of malignant tumors at other sites; thus, oral and maxillofacial surgeons must maintain a heightened awareness of angiosarcoma.

Giant cell angiofibroma of gingiva in tuberous sclerosis complex: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare, complex genetic disorder characterized by hamartomas and neoplastic lesions in various organ systems. With the development of radiology and gene testing, the diagnostic criteria for TSC were updated in 2012 at the International Consensus Conference. Intraoral fibromas have long been associated with TSC. However, the incidence of giant cell angiofibroma (GCA) in TSC patients is extremely rare. Here, we report the first case of GCA in the gingival tissue of a patient with TSC. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old woman first visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chonnam National University Dental Hospital, complaining of gingival enlargement. Clinical examination revealed several manifestations associated with TSC, including intraoral fibromas, facial angiofibromas, dental enamel pits, ungual fibromas, "confetti" skin lesions, hypomelanotic macules, and a shagreen patch. Intraoral examination revealed a 6.0 × 5.0 cm gingival overgrowth on the left mandible. Surgical excision was performed, and subsequent histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of GCA. There was no evidence of recurrence within the 24- months of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of GCA in the gingival tissue of a patient with TSC. This report would contribute to an improved understanding of this rare disease. However, further case reports are necessary to clarify the relationship between GCA and TSC.

Oral rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare malignant tumor mimicking an endodontic-periodontal lesion in an adult patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: According to previous research, 2.8% of lesions clinically identified as endodontic pathosis were ultimately diagnosed as non-endodontic periapical lesions via histopathology, and 3.7% of these non-endodontic periapical lesions were malignant neoplasms. Rhabdomyosarcoma, a malignant tumor most commonly observed in children, is uncommon in the oral cavity. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a report of a rare case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in a 41-year-old female, in which the lesion was in the maxillary gingiva. The biopsy reports confirmed the diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The wide excision of the tumor, free flap reconstruction, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were performed. Clinical, radiological, and histopathological and management aspects of the neoplasm were also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This case report aimed to create awareness that rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the differential diagnoses of periapical lesions.

New insights on collagen structural organization and spatial distribution around dental implants: a comparison between machined and laser-treated surfaces.

BACKGROUND: One of the main factors for the osseointegration of dental implants is the development of an adequate soft tissue barrier, mainly composed by collagen, which protects the implant from bacterial development. The structural features of the peri-implant collagen are influenced by the implant components and, in particular, by the type of the surface. In the clinical practice, healing abutments are characterized by smooth surfaces, named machined. Recently, a new laser technique, Synthegra, has been developed to obtain a topography-controlled surface with micrometric regular pores that seems reducing the risk of peri-implantitis. Based on this background, this study aims investigating the structural organization and spatial distribution of collagen surrounding healing abutments characterized by laser-treated and machined surfaces. METHODS: Gingiva portions surrounding custom-made healing abutments (HA), characterized by alternated laser-treated and machined surfaces, were collected and analyzed by combining Fourier Transform InfraRed Imaging (FTIRI) spectroscopy, a non-invasive and high-resolution bidimensional analytical technique, with histological and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Masson's trichrome staining, specific for collagen, highlighted a massive presence of collagen in all the analyzed samples, evidencing a surface-related spatial distribution. The nature of collagen, investigated by the FTIRI spectroscopy, appeared more abundant close to the laser-treated surface, with a perpendicular disposition of the bundles respect to the HA; conversely, a parallel distribution was observed around the machined surface. A different secondary structure was also found, with a higher amount of triple helices and a lower quantity of random coils in collagen close to the laser treated surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: FTIRI spectroscopy demonstrates that the use of a laser treated transmucosal surface can improve the morphological organization of the peri-implant collagen, which presents a distribution more similar to that of natural teeth. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: (Registration Number: NCT05754970). Registered 06/03/2023, retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT05754970 .

A case of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, diagnosed by scraping cytology of the maxillary gingiva.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type, is often seen in the head and neck region, but there have been rare instances of this disease with initial presentation as a lesion in the oral mucosa. The patient, a woman in her seventh decade of life, presented with an ulcer in the maxillary gingiva, and scraping cytology and biopsy were performed. Cytological specimens showed solitary or small aggregating cells with marked atypia in a necrotic background. Tumor cells were detected that had various nuclear shapes and azure granules in the cytoplasm. Biopsy showed that the tumor cells had diffusely infiltrated or interdigitated into the subepithelium. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells had T- and NK cell phenotypes and were Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER) positive, leading to a diagnosis of ENKTL. Thus, when nonepithelial tumor cells in a necrotic background and prominent atypia are found, as in this case, it is important to carefully observe for azurophil granules in the cytoplasm for differential diagnosis considerations.

Desquamative gingivitis treatment with topical tacrolimus applied to a custom tray: an open trial regarding its efficacy on patients' symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus offered on a custom tray to treat desquamative gingivitis (DG). STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen patients with symptomatic DG related to oral lichen planus (OLP) or mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) were selected, of which 13 completed the study. Periodontal treatment was followed by the fabrication of a custom silicone tray to apply a tacrolimus gel formulation (0.1%). Clinical evaluation (complaint of pain and burning - visual analog scale from 0 to 10; and the presence of erythema, desquamation, vesicle/blister, erosion, ulcer, and bleeding) was performed by the same examiner on day 1, and every 15 days for 90 days. RESULTS: Total remission was found in 4 patients (30.76%). Partial remission was found in 69.24% of the patients, classified with an excellent (30.76%), good (30.76%), and regular (7.69%) recovery, respectively. There was a reduction of about 60% in pain and 65% in burning sensation complaints. Wilcoxon test revealed significant differences between pre- and post-treatment pain and burning sensation symptoms (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Topical application of 0.1% tacrolimus gel was effective in the treatment of DG in controlling pain and burning sensation, leading to the clinical remission of gingival lesions in patients with OLP and MMP.

Benign Orofacial Vascular Anomalies: Review of 47 Cases in Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: A study of oral vascular anomalies has not been conducted in Nigeria to provide baseline data for comparison with reports in the literature. AIMS: To study the prevalence and distribution of benign orofacial vascular anomalies at a tertiary hospital in Enugu. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a 10-year retrospective observational study of consecutive patients with orofacial vascular anomalies, diagnosed by histology. The clinic-pathologic information was obtained from records archived in the department, and descriptive analysis was used to determine the frequency, tables for categorical variables, and a Chi-square test to determine the statistical significance. RESULT: There were 47 cases of benign vascular anomalies out of 897 orofacial lesions giving a prevalence of 5.2%. There were 35.4% (17) male and 64.6% (31) female patients. The mean age in this series was 37.4 ± 19.8 (range: 1 to 76 years). Pyogenic granuloma was the most common vascular lesion 78.7% (37), followed by hemangioma 14.9% (7) and lymphangioma 6.4% (3). The gingiva was the most frequent site of oral occurrence 65.9% (31), especially maxillary gingivae 48.9% (23). The type of orofacial vascular anomalies was significantly associated with the anatomical site of occurrence, P = 0.00. The mean ages for the occurrence of pyogenic granuloma, hemangioma, and lymphangioma were 37.7 ± 18.3, 50.7 ± 16.9 years, and 3.3 ± 3.2 years, respectively. Pain was a frequent occurrence in 36.2% (17) of anomalies. CONCLUSION: Oral vascular anomalies predominantly presented as pyogenic granuloma on the gingivae, while oral hemangioma was observed in adults, and lymphangioma was infrequent.

Secretory Carcinoma with ETV6-NTRK3 Gene Fusion and Lymph Node Metastasis in Maxillary Gingiva: A Case Report with Pathological and Molecular Correlative Studies.

Secretory carcinoma (SC), also known as mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC), is a rare salivary gland neoplasm with distinctive morphology that harbors a diagnostic ETV6 gene rearrangement. MASC was first described as a type of salivary gland neoplasm in 2010 and resembles breast secretory carcinoma. It is often mistaken for other neoplasms. It usually acts as an indolent tumor but can occasionally behave in an aggressive manner. We present a rare case of a patient with an aggressive SC/MASC of maxillary gingivobuccal sulcus with microcystic, solid and papillary patterns that showed ETV6 gene rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Next-generation sequencing revealed t(12;15)(p13;q25) ETV6-NTRK3 translocation. Because SC/MASCs harbor the ETV6-NTRK3 translocation, molecular studies and immunostains are crucial to confirm the diagnosis and direct therapy.

Capillary Haemangioma of Gingiva - A Rare Lesion.

Capillary Haemangioma is a benign vascular tumour characterized by proliferation of blood vessels with a very striking similarity to pyogenic granuloma with a predilection to occur on the gingiva. Though the head and neck are the most common region of occurrence, but is considered to be rare occurring on the gingiva, intra-orally. The lesion clinically mimicked pyogenic granuloma but was histopathologically diagnosed as capillary haemangioma. It was surgically excised and followed up for 6 months without any recurrence.

Maxillary gingival neurolemmoma: a case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and summarize the clinical features, differential diagnosis and treatment of the oral maxillofacial schwandoma. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a report of a case of a 46-year-old female patients with neurolemmoma in the maxillary gingiva. The clinical features, pathological features, differential diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Literature review was conducted in search of domestic and overseas journal full-text database from 1986 ~ 2017. 39 reports on the oral and maxillofacial Neurolemmoma from 1986 to 2017 in the database of China hospital knowledge database and the PubMed database, there were 405 patients. There were 23 cases of gingival mucosa, 17 in foreign literature and only 6 in the domestic literature. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of gingival Neurolemmoma is extremely low, the predilection age is similar to other parts, it is middle-aged and young, and there is no obvious gender tendency. About 25-45% of schwannomas are found in the head and neck, and rarely in the mouth (only 1%). The most common internal location of the mouth is the tongue, followed by the floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, palate, gums, and lips. Schwannomas are slow-growing benign tumors that are rare in the gums. Gingival schwannoma is usually a single occurrence, and the clinical manifestations are mostly painless gum mass, tooth loosening and displacement, without peripheral bone changes and regional lymph node metastasis. It is difficult to diagnose this tumor according to clinical manifestations, and pathological diagnosis is still the basis for the diagnosis of gingival schwannoma. So far, surgical resection is the preferred treatment for this disease, and the prognosis is good.

A Periodontal Perspective on the Successful Treatment of Recurrent Benign Gingival Lesions Affecting the Anterior Dentition: Two Case Reports.

Recurrent benign gingival lesions occurring in the anterior dentition are clinical dilemmas. While complete removal of such lesions is required to prevent recurrence, this can result in a poor esthetic outcome. Relative to this conundrum, this report discusses the diagnosis, psychologic management, and clinical treatment of two patients with recurring lesions on the facial gingiva of the mandibular and maxillary incisors, respectively. Patient A, a 55-year-old woman, presented with a recurrent peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF); Patient B, a 76-year-old man, presented with a recurrent pyogenic granuloma (PG). Both patients underwent multiple procedures and were ultimately treated without lesion recurrence. The efficacious surgical treatment of recurrent gingival lesions like POF and PG requires an aggressive approach involving lesion removal of the lesion as well as a 1.0- to 2.0-mm margin of normal tissue, underlying alveolar bone, and associated periodontal ligament (PDL). The rationale for this approach stresses the potential periodontal and esthetic ramifications that were considered. In summary, when recurrent benign gingival lesions are localized to the anterior part of the mouth, the approach to their surgical removal should be modified to minimize the extent of gingival recession and other potential esthetic issues.

Preserving periodontal tissue in the treatment of a large peripheral ossifying fibroma: a case study.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a reactive, benign gingival enlargement. Its etiology is not fully known. It can be seen in many different sizes in the mouth. The histopathological appearance of POF is mineralized tissue and fibrous proliferation. All relevant soft and hard tissues must be removed to prevent recurrence. Periodontal tissue remaining after excision is important for tooth preservation. With large lesions, the loss of healthy periodontal tissue is also large. Periodontal surgical approaches are important to preserve the remaining periodontal tissue. The positive effects of autogenously obtained titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) and connective tissue graft (CTG) on soft tissue are well known. A 34-year-old woman presented with a fibrous and pedunculated gingival mass in the upper left canine premolar region. The operation was performed with complete excision of the lesion down to the bone along with the surrounding healthy tissue. Periodontal treatment of the large defect created after excision of a large POF lesion was performed with laterally positioned flap, CTG and T-PRF. The periodontal tissue and defect were noted to heal in a healthy manner at the 6-month follow-up. POF is a benign lesion; however, it has a high recurrence rate. Complete elimination of the lesion is crucial to prevent recurrence. Periodontal surgical methods and biomaterials applied after surgical excision are significant to maintain the periodontal health of the remaining teeth and tissues.

Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia confined to the interdental papilla of an adult Chinese man: a rare case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH), or focal epithelial hypertension (FEH), or Heck's disease, is an uncommon, benign oral mucosal disease associated with human papillomavirus infection. It is mostly observed in indigenous populations of the world, and has been rarely reported in China. However, previous research suggested there might be a greater prevalence of MEH in the Chinese population. While predominantly involves the lips, buccal mucosa and tongue, MEH was occasionally reported to affect the hard palate and gingiva as well. CASE PRESENTATION: This paper reports a case of extensive MEH lesions that confined to the interdental papilla of a Chinese male without detection of HPV, and summarizes the published gingiva-involved MEH reports from 1966 until present. The lesions were excised with an Er: YAG laser after scaling and root planning, no recurrence was observed after 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The present report illustrates the need for clinicians to be aware of rare presentations of MEH to facilitate a prompt diagnosis and proper management. More reports are encouraged to determine a correct prevalence rate of MEH in China.

Clear Cell Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Maxillary Gingiva Associated with PIK3CA and HRAS Mutations: Report of a Case and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common oral malignancy, and somatic mutations in some driver genes have been implicated in SCC development. Clear cell SCC (CCSCC) is a rare histological variant of SCC, and various clear cell neoplasms must be considered in the differential diagnosis of CCSCC in the oral cavity. Based on a limited number of CCSCC cases reported in the oral cavity, CCSCC is considered an aggressive variant of SCC with a poor prognosis; however, its genetic characteristics remain unknown. METHODS: A maxillary gingival tumor in an 89-year-old female was described and investigated using immunohistochemical staining, special staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a custom panel of driver genes, including those associated with SCC and clear cell neoplasm development. RESULTS: Histopathological examination revealed a proliferation of atypical epithelial cells with abundant clear cytoplasm and enlarged and centrally placed round nuclei. The tumor was exophytic with deep, penetrating proliferation. The atypical clear cells were continuous with the conventional SCC cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the clear cells were positive for CK AE1/AE3 and CK5/6 and nuclear-positive for p63. In contrast, the clear cells were negative for αSMA, S100, HMB45, Melan-A, CD10, and p16. p53 immunoreactivity exhibited a wild-type expression pattern. Additionally, the clear cells were positive for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and negative for diastase-PAS, mucicarmine, and Alcian blue. Based on these results, the diagnosis of CCSCC was confirmed. Molecular analysis of the clear cells identified PIK3CA p.E542K (c.1624G>A) and HRAS p.G12A (c.35 G>C) somatic mutations classified as oncogenic. No pathogenic variants were identified in TP53, EWSR1, AKT1, PTEN, BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, RASA1, or MAML2. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of CCSCC of the oral cavity with PIK3CA and HRAS mutations. The identification of PIK3CA and/or HRAS mutations is rare in SCC; however, both mutations are important potential targets for antitumor therapy. A detailed analysis of gene mutations in CCSCC may lead to a better understanding of its biological behavior and an improved prognosis, as well as a differential diagnosis from other clear cell neoplasms.

Orofacial Manifestations in a Middle-Aged Woman with Cowden Syndrome: A Case Image.

A 56-year-old Brazilian woman sought dental care, presenting with multiple asymptomatic papillomatous lesions with a coalescent pattern and intermingled cobblestone-like clefts along the alveolar ridge and marginal and attached gingivae. Multiple whitish papules were also observed on the face, neck, and limbs. Incisional biopsies of these lesions were performed. Microscopically, the skin lesion revealed epithelial clear cells and intraepithelial keratinization with areas of orthokeratosis, while the gingival lesions showed a parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with collagenous connective tissue. These features were consistent with those of a trichilemmoma and fibroepithelial hyperplasia, respectively. This article illustrates a case of Cowden syndrome (CS), a rare multisystem genetic condition in which both cutaneous and mucosal tissues were affected. Fewer than 40 cases of CS with oral involvement affecting middle-aged adults have been documented hitherto.

Treatment of Multiple Recessions Associated with Noncarious Cervical Lesions: A Case Series.

Gingival recessions with noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs), also called combined defects, are common problems, and patients often seek treatment due to esthetic concerns or dentin hypersensitivity. This case series evaluates the effectiveness of the non-coronally advanced flap (CAF) technique combined with restorative treatment for Miller Class III gingival recessions with NCCLs. A total of 16 combined defects were included. The combined defect height (CDH), recession depth (RD), pocket depth (PD), keratinized tissue width (KTW), and presence of dentin hypersensitivity were recorded at baseline and 6 months postsurgery. The mean root coverage (mRC) was 83%, and 50% of defects presented complete root coverage (CRC). In the group with an initial KTW ≥ 2 mm, mRC and CRC were significantly higher. Further randomized controlled studies with larger sample sizes are needed to verify the prognostic factor of combined non-CAF techniques and restorative treatment for gingival recessions with NCCLs.

An unusual case of linear IgA disease affecting only the oral gingiva: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We present a case report on desquamative gingivitis diagnosed as linear IgA disease (LAD), which is a rare autoimmune bullous disease exclusively affecting the oral gingiva. The oral mucosa can be impacted by various autoimmune bullous diseases, and our report focuses on this particular manifestation of LAD. CASE PRESENTATION: This patient presented with atypical symptoms, as frequent blister formation on the gingiva was the primary clinical manifestation. A combination of systemic and local treatment was administered to the patient. Following the treatment, there was a significant improvement observed in both the erythema and the bullous lesions on the gingiva. CONCLUSIONS: A more suitable local treatment strategy should be formulated for patients presenting with oral topical lesions, which clinicians can employ effectively.

Periodontitis-resistant and -susceptible matriline regulation of gingival transcriptome in nonhuman primates.

OBJECTIVE: This report identified if gingival gene expression transcriptomes demonstrated unique profiles that discriminated periodontitis-susceptible (PDS) and periodontitis-resistant (PDR) animals in health and disease. BACKGROUND: Nonhuman primates generally organize their social groups based upon matriline origin. We have used a multi-generational colony of rhesus macaques to identify matrilines presenting with significant differences in periodontitis (e.g., earlier age onset, greater prevalence, and severity). METHODS: Animals from 12 to 23 years of age (n = 17; 8 - PDR, 9 - PDS) were entered into a ligature-induced periodontitis trial. Gingival biopsies were taken at baseline and 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 months post-ligation, and microarray analysis was used to quantify gene expression in samples at each time point. RESULTS: Over 1000 genes showed significant (p < .01) differences in the PDR versus PDS animals at baseline. The frequency of differences generally decreased during the disease process, and increased with resolution (i.e., 5 months). A nearly 2:1 ratio of elevated gene levels was noted in baseline PDR samples that included up-regulated MMPs, Fc receptors, chemokines, interleukins, and innate immune receptors, and down-regulated genes particularly related to epithelial biology. Most dramatically, there was a skewed differential expression of adaptive immune response genes in the PDR and epithelial cell structure/function genes in PDS samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate substantive differences in gingival tissue response capacity/programming in PDR and PDS samples that may contribute to the differences in clinical outcomes related to the heritability of disease risk through matrilines.