[Behaviour of gingival elastic constituents in periodontal disease]

Disorganization of gingival elastic constituents, including oxytalan fibers, elaunin fibers, and mature elastic fibers, is a feature of periodontal disease. In early stages where inflammation is moderate, this disorganization involves only oxytalan fibers. As the disease progresses, fragmentation and lamination of elaunin fibers and mature elastic fibers is seen. In cyclosporin A-induced gingival hyperplasia, there is a substantial increase in the amount of elastic fibers as compared with healthy gingiva. In gingival fragments from edentulous elderly individuals the elastic constituents form dense granules.