The Progression of Gingivitis to Periodontitis in the Beagle Dog: a Histological and Morphometric Investigation

Abstract
The spread of the inflammatory cell infiltrate in the progression of gingivitis to periodontitis in the Beagle dog follows the course of blood vessels. Buccolingually this is towards the periosteal surface of the bone and interdentally towards the midpoint and angles of the interdental septum. Interdentally the path of spread may be modified by the local anatomy. Bone resoprtion buccolingually progresses from the periosteal surface towards the tooth and interproximally along the crest of the interdental septa and within marrow spaces. The pathway of spread of the inflammatory cell infiltrate, the anatomic relationships of the teeth to each other and the original morphology of the alveolar bone may influence the pattern of bone loss in periodontitis.