Immunoglobulins in human dental calculus demonstrated with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method

IgG and IgA were demonstrated in both sub- and supragingival dental calculus. Their distribution followed mainly incremental lines in the calculus. Most likely they originated from saliva and gingival fluid. Immunoglobulins which are adsorbed to crystals in biologic tissues may slow down the growth rate of the crystals. It was thus suggested that the incremental lines may be caused by the accumulation of IgG and IgA on the surface of dental calculus with a subsequent arrest in growth.