[Comparative light and scanning electron microscopic studies of the human gingiva by means of the filter imprint...

The structure of the mucosal surface can be reproduced almost unchanged by the filter imprint method. Scan electronmicroscopic investigations of the tissue surface and the surface cells removed by the imprint technique demonstrate that only the uppermost cell layer is removed and that these cells retain their layer distribution, form and fine surface structure. It is therefore possible to describe the cells in the print morphologically by light microscopy and to characterize them functionally by differential staining.