Inflammatory cells and pocket epithelium in periodontitis cases. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic study

Epithelial pocket walls of 10 hopeless teeth were separated from root surfaces after extraction. The tissues were prepared for examination by transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopies (SEM). The study focuses on inflammatory cells and their possible pathologic effects on gingival tissues. TEM observations showed widening of intercellular spaces and interruption or even complete deterioration of basal lamina when macrophages and lymphocytes were recognized between epithelial cells. SEM findings showed scattered lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) on the pocket wall surfaces with several perforations that corresponded to their size. These observations led to the conclusion that separation between epithelial cells and perforations on pocket wall surfaces by inflammatory cells may promote periodontal tissue destruction by passage of irritant and destructive substances into the underlying connective tissue.