Study of Exfoliative Cytology of Oral Mucosa of Children Exhibiting Clinical Evidence of Ectodermal Dysplasia

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The technique developed by Papanicolaou was used to study seven different areas in the oral cavity in patients exhibiting ectodermal dysplasia. Random cell counts of one hundred cells were used, grouping these cells into one of three groups. The distribution of cell types in a given area indicated the degree of keratinization for that particular area. An examination of the data collected on the ectodermal dysplasia patients and a group of normal patients revealed a highly significant difference in the buccal mucosa area. The degree of keratinization in the ectodermal dysplasia patients was much less in this area, probably resulting from a decrease in function due to the absence of some of the posterior teeth in these patients. In both groups the gingiva was found to be the most highly keratinizated with the soft palate showing less keratin than any other area.