ROOT SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMARY TEETH FROM CHILDREN WITH PREPUBERTAL PERIODONTITIS

THIS STUDY DESCRIBES THE HISTOLOGIC characteristics of root surfaces o f primary teeth from children with prepubertal periodontitis (PP). Fif teen primary teeth from 4 children with PP and 2 control primary teeth from 2 healthy children were examined. Light microscopy revealed norm al root surfaces in the control teeth. In contrast, the PP specimens r evealed bacteria inside dentin tubules or covering cementum, a cuticle , or resorbed dentin: normal, wider than normal, or hypoplastic cement um; resorption lacunae with various depths: aplastic root resorption; alternate resorption and repair; and active repair. No cementoclasts w ere found in the resorption lacunae. Scanning electron microscopy reve aled intrabony and suprabony root areas, and a ''plaque free zone'' (P FZ). Colonies of filaments were evident at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). The suprabony root surfaces had resorption lacunae, isolated s hort rods, calculus, colonies of filaments, or colonies composed by an heterogeneous bacterial population. The coronal boundary of the PFZ w as the border of a sheet-like structure, which included isolated rods or filaments. At the PFZ, isolated filaments and rods, and a fibril ma trix were evident. The apical boundary of the PFZ consisted of bundles of soft tissue remnants or the insertion of the periodontal fibers. T he intrabony surfaces were mostly covered by soft tissue, which includ ed isolated filaments and short rods. Resorption lacunae with or witho ut soft tissue were also evident in this area. Crystals of calcium oxa late dihydrate and erythrocytes in distinct forms were found at variou s root areas. The present findings are different from those previously reported for hypophosphatasia specimens.