Characteristics
The fibers' resistance to formic acid breakdown gave rise to the term "oxytalan". [2] Elaunin, oxytalan, and elastic are the three different forms of elastic fibers. The thinnest, or oxytalan fibers, are perpendicular to the dermoepidermal junction and are the most superficial. In this work, electron microscopy was used to study these oxytalan fibers of human skin. They noticed that they appear to be related to bundles of fibers in a parallel pattern. 10 to 12 nm is the diameter of each. The elastic system's function in maintaining the architecture of the skin, especially at the dermoepidermal junction, is another important element to take into account. The acknowledgement of the existence of the adhesion between the basement lamina and the oxytalan fibers that Kobayasi described is supported by their observations. The fact that these structures resemble the fibrillar component of elastic fibers must be emphasized. [3]
The oxytalan system's histological appearance is distinguished by fiber ramifications and anastomoses. [4]
The periodontal membranes of all human teeth, as well as those of monkeys, rats, guinea pigs, and mice, contain oxytalan fibers. [5] [6]
It is also mentioned that a portion of oxytalan fibers support the lymphatic and blood vessels that lead to the teeth .In periodontal membranes of teeth under higher stress, as those used as bridge abutments, there is an increase in both the quantity and size of oxytalan fibers. [6]
Relations
Certain established facts indicate that oxytalan fibers and elastic fibers are related. These include the fact that oxytalan fibers are found in specially modified connective tissue structures like periodontal ligament, PDL, and that they are stained with three of the five elastic tissue stains if they are pre-oxidized with peracetic acid. Additionally, they are more easily digested by commercially prepared elastase than collagen. [7]
Previous research has shown that the steer, pig, sheep, and deer have higher proportions of elastic to Oxytalan fibers than the other animals under investigation. [7]
The reaction of the periodontal ligament (PDL) to orthodontic and functional stresses is largely dependent on its biomechanical makeup. However, a number of studies suggest that oxytalan fibers—a subset of elastic fibers—also have a role in the PDL's biomechanical properties and behavior. Excessive dilatation of PDL capillaries has been reported in mgR mice, a type that exhibits significantly lower expression of FBN-1, according to one study. Blood vessel and oxytalan fiber formation occurring at the same time lends additional evidence to a functional link.
Oxytalan has been proposed to have a number of roles, including vascular system support and maintenance, vascular flow modulation, cell migration guidance, and a role in the mechanical characteristics of the periodontal ligament.
The observation of a close relationship between oxytalan fibers and blood vessels inside the PDL provides support for the theory that the oxytalan fiber network is in charge of maintaining and supporting the vascular system. These are hypothetical functions; none of them are supported by research, but they can all be investigated. [8]
Rannie (1963) employed a monopersulfate compound (Oxone, E. L. DuPont De Nemours & Co., Inc., Wilmington, Delaware), with more recent work yielding more satisfying technical results. The easiest way to observe the fibers after the oxidation stage is to stain them with Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin; after preoxidation, some fibers will show up with orcein and resorcin fuchsin.(3,9) The oxytalan fiber is not visible when stained with either Verhoeffs ferric chloride hemtoxylin or Orcinol-new fuchsin following oxidation. Studies on histochemistry and morphology at light microscopy magnifications offer some support for theories about a possible relationship to elastic fibers. They also suggest that the oxytalan fiber belongs in the same category as elastic fibers and that it has multiple structural components. [2]
Chronic periodontitis
Research indicates a close association between the condition, oxytalan fibers, and chronic periodontitis. The pathological alterations associated with chronic periodontitis included edema and a noticeable infiltration of inflammatory plasma cells in the periodontal tissue. The oxytalan fibers were disrupted or completely absent in the areas closest to the basement membrane. The oxytalan fibers surrounding blood arteries were also largely damaged. Three methods—light microscopy(LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy—were employed in this investigation to examine oxytalan fibers.
The oxytalan fibers were observed under an electron microscope to be loose, endless, and composed of extremely fine fibrils, with an 11–12 nm diameter. [9] [10]
The oxytalan fibers were broken down by TEM, shattered in the interstitial tissue and detached from the basal lamina.
Large volumes of long, branching, smooth-surfaced interlaced oxytalan fiber meshwork were visible in the SEM.
Additionally, it is noted that because oxytalan fibers are made up of bundles of microfibrils without elastin, they are unable to elongate in response to mechanical stress. [9]
Despite the fact that oxytalan is a significant elastic fiber, we still don't fully understand its purpose or the particular advantages it offers despite all of the research. We do know that they exist, which suggests that they are significant and that further research has to be done to identify the significance and important functions. However as of now, we know some characteristics from light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We also understand that oxytalan can be affected by chronic periodontitis, a very well known disease.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red and may bleed. It is considered the main cause of tooth loss for adults worldwide. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or fall out. Bad breath may also occur.
In dentistry, calculus or tartar is a form of hardened dental plaque. It is caused by precipitation of minerals from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in plaque on the teeth. This process of precipitation kills the bacterial cells within dental plaque, but the rough and hardened surface that is formed provides an ideal surface for further plaque formation. This leads to calculus buildup, which compromises the health of the gingiva (gums). Calculus can form both along the gumline, where it is referred to as supragingival, and within the narrow sulcus that exists between the teeth and the gingiva, where it is referred to as subgingival.
Cementum is a specialized calcified substance covering the root of a tooth. The cementum is the part of the periodontium that attaches the teeth to the alveolar bone by anchoring the periodontal ligament.
Staining is a technique used to enhance contrast in samples, generally at the microscopic level. Stains and dyes are frequently used in histology, in cytology, and in the medical fields of histopathology, hematology, and cytopathology that focus on the study and diagnoses of diseases at the microscopic level. Stains may be used to define biological tissues, cell populations, or organelles within individual cells.
The periodontium is the specialized tissues that both surround and support the teeth, maintaining them in the maxillary and mandibular bones. The word comes from the Greek terms περί peri-, meaning "around" and -odont, meaning "tooth". Literally taken, it means that which is "around the tooth". Periodontics is the dental specialty that relates specifically to the care and maintenance of these tissues. It provides the support necessary to maintain teeth in function. It consists of four principal components, namely:
Elastic fibers are an essential component of the extracellular matrix composed of bundles of proteins (elastin) which are produced by a number of different cell types including fibroblasts, endothelial, smooth muscle, and airway epithelial cells. These fibers are able to stretch many times their length, and snap back to their original length when relaxed without loss of energy. Elastic fibers include elastin, elaunin and oxytalan.
The periodontal ligament, commonly abbreviated as the PDL, is a group of specialized connective tissue fibers that essentially attach a tooth to the alveolar bone within which it sits. It inserts into root cementum on one side and onto alveolar bone on the other.
Periodontology or periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. A periodontist is a dentist that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants.
Reticular fibers, reticular fibres or reticulin is a type of fiber in connective tissue composed of type III collagen secreted by reticular cells. They are mainly composed reticulin protein and form a network or mesh. Reticular fibers crosslink to form a fine meshwork (reticulin). This network acts as a supporting mesh in soft tissues such as liver, bone marrow, and the tissues and organs of the lymphatic system.
A microfibril is a very fine fibril, or fiber-like strand, consisting of glycoproteins and cellulose. It is usually, but not always, used as a general term in describing the structure of protein fiber, e.g. hair and sperm tail. Its most frequently observed structural pattern is the 9+2 pattern in which two central protofibrils are surrounded by nine other pairs. Cellulose inside plants is one of the examples of non-protein compounds that are using this term with the same purpose. Cellulose microfibrils are laid down in the inner surface of the primary cell wall. As the cell absorbs water, its volume increases and the existing microfibrils separate and new ones are formed to help increase cell strength.
Cytochemistry is the branch of cell biology dealing with the detection of cell constituents by means of biochemical analysis and visualization techniques. This is the study of the localization of cellular components through the use of staining methods. The term is also used to describe a process of identification of the biochemical content of cells. Cytochemistry is a science of localizing chemical components of cells and cell organelles on thin histological sections by using several techniques like enzyme localization, micro-incineration, micro-spectrophotometry, radioautography, cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, immunohistochemistry and cytochemistry, etc.
The gingival sulcus is an area of potential space between a tooth and the surrounding gingival tissue and is lined by sulcular epithelium. The depth of the sulcus is bounded by two entities: apically by the gingival fibers of the connective tissue attachment and coronally by the free gingival margin. A healthy sulcular depth is three millimeters or less, which is readily self-cleansable with a properly used toothbrush or the supplemental use of other oral hygiene aids.
Scaling and root planing, also known as conventional periodontal therapy, non-surgical periodontal therapy or deep cleaning, is a procedure involving removal of dental plaque and calculus and then smoothing, or planing, of the (exposed) surfaces of the roots, removing cementum or dentine that is impregnated with calculus, toxins, or microorganisms, the agents that cause inflammation. It is a part of non-surgical periodontal therapy. This helps to establish a periodontium that is in remission of periodontal disease. Periodontal scalers and periodontal curettes are some of the tools involved.
Treponema denticola is a Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic, motile and highly proteolytic spirochete bacterium. It is one of four species of oral spirochetes to be reliably cultured, the others being Treponema pectinovorum, Treponema socranskii and Treponema vincentii. T. denticola dwells in a complex and diverse microbial community within the oral cavity and is highly specialized to survive in this environment. T. denticola is associated with the incidence and severity of human periodontal disease. Treponema denticola is one of three bacteria that form the Red Complex, the other two being Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia. Together they form the major virulent pathogens that cause chronic periodontitis. Having elevated T. denticola levels in the mouth is considered one of the main etiological agents of periodontitis. T. denticola is related to the syphilis-causing obligate human pathogen, Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum. It has also been isolated from women with bacterial vaginosis.
Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums; ulitis is an alternative term. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms that are attached to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis. Most forms of gingivitis are plaque-induced.
Elaunin is a component of elastic fibers formed from a deposition of elastin between oxytalan fibers. It is found in the periodontal ligament and in the connective tissue of the dermis, particularly in association with sweat glands.
Chronic periodontitis is one of the seven categories of periodontitis as defined by the American Academy of Periodontology 1999 classification system. Chronic periodontitis is a common disease of the oral cavity consisting of chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues that is caused by the accumulation of profuse amounts of dental plaque. Periodontitis initially begins as gingivitis and can progress onto chronic and subsequent aggressive periodontitis according to the 1999 classification.
Aggressive periodontitis describes a type of periodontal disease and includes two of the seven classifications of periodontitis as defined by the 1999 classification system:
- Localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP)
- Generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP)
Verhoeff's stain, also known as Verhoeff's elastic stain (VEG) or Verhoeff–Van Gieson stain (VVG), is a staining protocol used in histology, developed by American ophthalmic surgeon and pathologist Frederick Herman Verhoeff (1874–1968) in 1908. The formulation is used to demonstrate normal or pathologic elastic fibers.
