Gingival invagination area after space closure: A histologic study

The aim of this study was to show the micromorphologic findings (epithelium, connective tissue, bone) in a region of pronounced gingival invagination after space closure by analyzing a maxilla taken in autopsy from a 19-year-old woman who was orthodontically treated. The dental records were also at our disposal. The second left premolar was congenitally absent. This area displayed before therapeutic horizontal bone atrophy. For space closure, the first upper left molar was moved mesially with a fixed appliance. After space closure, pronounced gingival invagination was diagnosed. The lateral segments of the specimen were prepared histologically in the horizontal plane. The microscopic observations revealed deep epithelial proliferation, hyperkeratinization, and one isolated keratin pearl in the connective tissue. Irrespective of location, the broad connective tissue layer showed disparate characteristics. Cell-rich, loose connective tissue with low fiber density were dominant in the subepithelial layer. The epiperiosteal layer displayed multiple tough fibers, some running parallel, some with reticular meshing, permeated with many blood vessels. Very few inflammatory cells were detected in the soft tissue. The bone had been resorbed in the mesiopalatal area of the molar (tooth movement direction) apart from one small isolated bony islet. These observations suggest that inflammatory influences were unlikely for marginal bone loss mesiopalatal to the tooth. (Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 1995;108:593-8.)