Changes in the Vascular Bed of the Marginal Periodontium in Periodontitis

Abstract

The vascular bed of the marginal periodontium consists, in rat molars and in monkey teeth, of 2 different vascular networks. One supplies the gingival epithelium facing the oral cavity, the other supplies the epithelial attachment and is formed by coiled capillary formations that are specific for this segment. They are usually described as glomerulus-like formations and their function is not yet clearly understood. In an initial periodontitis of rat molars which was elicited in 35 rats by xerostomy, a change of the vascular bed occurred only in the region of these loops whereas the capillary network of the gingiva remained practically unchanged. The glomerulus-like formations disappeared already in the initial stage of periodontitis and were replaced by a dense capillary network. Hence the coiled capillary formations may be observed in a healthy periodontium only.