Nerve Endings in Gingival Tissue

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to study the morphology, number, histochemistry, and distribution of nerve endings in fresh gingival tissue from human beings by the use of cholinesterase and silver nitrate staining methods. This study disclosed that nerve end-organs were more numerous in the anterior portion of the gingiva and that the concentration of nerve endings per unit area was greater in children than in adults. Morphologically these endings appeared to be organized and varied from the intra-epithelial type to those that rolled on themselves. These endings did not appear to conform to the descriptions of the classic endings of Krause, Meissner of Ruffini. Although the end-organs described are not of one specific type, it is suggested that perhaps they should be considered under the classification of the mucocutaneous end-organ or organized nerve ending.