Scanning electron microscope and intragingival microorganisms in periodontal diseases

During the past two decades there has been an increased understanding of bacterial invasion as a pathogenic mechanism of periodontal diseases. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) has played a key role in supporting the idea that bacterial invasion may be another pathogenic mechanism in periodontal disease. This has been due to the fact that SEM has a larger depth of focus and better resolving power than the Light Microscope (LM) and also allows for observation of rather large areas of tissue showing in depth the surface of the sample. This review deals with information obtained by using SEM as the fundamental method in studying and specifically identifying microorganisms within gingival tissues. New methodology using correlative microscopy for rapidly identifying invasive bacteria of periodontal tissues is discussed.