[The micromorphological reaction patterns of human periodontium]

Compared to the normal micromorphologic features of the human periodontium typical histopathologic reaction patterns in different age groups and under various functional conditions, especially in older individuals, are described. It is, therefore, concluded that by characterizing large autoptic material of teeth exhibiting periodontitis, in old human subjects regenerative tissue responses aimed at infection defence are in principle more pronounced. Junctional epithelium attachment at the cement surface and even at dental calculus, active bone formation and reformation, and moderate apposition of cementum are decisive for the pathomorphological picture of marginal periodontitis also in very old human subjects.