Journal of periodontology
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Journal of periodontology · Jun 2003
Quantitative evaluation of the vasculature and fibronectin localization in gingival connective tissue of smokers and non-smokers.
It has been shown that tobacco is a significant risk factor for periodontal disease. The reason for decreased gingival bleeding in smokers is not known. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the localization of fibronectin in the extracellular matrix of the inflamed gingiva of smokers and non-smokers and to evaluate the chronic effect of smoking on the gingival microvessel number (NVES) and vascular surface density (VSD). ⋯ The results of the present study indicate that smoking does not affect the vascular surface density, number of vessels per mm2 stroma, or fibronectin distribution in subepithelial gingival connective tissue.