Histologic observations on the topography of a human periodontal pocket viewed in transverse step-serial sections

A histologic overview of a periodontal pocket at the distal of a maxillary first premolar is presented. The material studied is part of the Bernhard Gottlieb collection. This material demonstrated the topography of the periodontal pocket through its complete circumference as seen in transverse step serial sections. From these observations, it is also clear that multiple pockets had formed, each involving a different area of the root surface. The pockets terminated independently and are separated from each other by areas of tissue which progress from pocket epithelium to junctional epithelium to connective tissue attachment. The existence of independent pockets around the root surface of a single tooth points to the problem of access and thus the predictability of non-surgical therapy as well as concerns that surgical access will necessarily involve areas of unaffected tissues.