A histological study of the exfoliation of human deciduous teeth

For clarification of the histological details of the shedding of human deciduous teeth, exfoliated and extracted deciduous teeth were examined by light and electron microscopy. After the roots were completely resorbed, the dentogingival junction migrated along the inner resorbing surface and finally reached the pulpal surface of the crown. At the same time, the gingival epithelium also proliferated and migrated under the crown of the deciduous tooth in such a way that part of it lined the residue of the pulp and another part lined the surface overlying the erupting successional tooth. This phenomenon took place from various sides of the tooth surface. Therefore, just before exfoliation, the migrated gingival epithelium formed narrow necks of tissue, and the crown was only superficially attached to the gingiva by them. The final shedding of the tooth appeared to occur by a tearing of these narrow tissue regions. The results of the present study suggest that the dento-gingival junction as well as gingival epithelium play important roles in the process of exfoliation of human deciduous teeth.