Histochemical Evaluation of Gingival Healing in Experimental Animals on Adequate and Vitamin C Deficient Diets

Abstract

Normal gingival healing and gingival healing in acute vit. C deficiency were studied with the Lillie histochemical technique. In 44 guinea pigs on adequate and vit. C deficient diets, the ground substance, basement membrane, and glycogen distr. in healing gingiva, following gingivectomy, were evaluated from biopsy specimens. In acute vit. C deficiency, the rate of gingival healing was retarded, surface inflammation persisted, and ground substance formation and maturation of basement membrane were retarded.