THE PRESENCE OF AN INHIBITOR OF HUMAN SKIN COLLAGENASE IN THE ROOTS OF HEALTHY AND PERIODONTALLY DISEASED TEETH - CHANGES THAT OCCUR WITH AGE

THE AMOUNT OF ANTI-COLLAGENASE in the root has been reported in a grou p 18 to 35 years of age. Healthy roots had more than the diseased; and apical more than the cervical. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of age on these values. In a group 50 to 92 year s of age, all values were markedly higher than in the younger group. I n addition, all relationships between values were preserved. These inc lude location and presence of disease. The higher levels might be due to an aging process or a protective defense against collagenase in the gingival crevice.