Clinical and exfoliative-cytological appearance of the gingiva with and without toothbrushing stimulation. 3: Longitudinal study of inflammatory gingival changes
Harzmann, F.U.; Wächter, J.; Nossek, H.
Stomatologie der DDR 35(6): 329-333
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-4725 PMID: 3868852 Document Number: 254382
In 15 subjects aged between 17 and 19 years, the therapeutical significance of mechanical plaque elimination without a toothbrush and of dosed toothbrush stimulation was investigated in both isolation and combination in clinically evident gingivitis by giving due consideration to keratinization of the oral gingiva epithelium. Over a 5-week test the epithelium shows a considerable cornification after gingival stimulation but a less pronounced reduction in gingivitis than with no toothbrush stimulation. These observations corroborate the fact that keratinisation of the epithelium is not primarily dependent on the severity of inflammation. Despite existing gingivitis, the mechanical stimulation intensifies keratinisation whose clinical significance is, however, doubtful.