Studies on the Correlation between the Gingival Color and Gingival Capillaries

Abstract

In the diagnosis and treatument of periodontal diseases, much emphasis is placed on the change in the coloration of gingivae.
The gingival coloration is said to be greatly influenced by such factors as the conditions of blood circulation, blood vessels, nature of the blood, parakeratinization of the epithelium and depositon of certain pigments.
In the present studies, the author concorned himself with the correlation existing between the gingival color and gingival capillaries. By way of study materials, a total sample of 25 males and 50 females who were healthy and free from any circulatory disturbances was selectivaly used.
With these subjects, measurements were made of the gingival color in the labial gingival rims of both upper and lower anterior teeth, by the use of a color meter (CM-5A) and were transferred in terms of Munsell values. Immediately after the measurements, the same portions were photographed by the capillary-microscope as well as visual inspections. By using these photographic images prepared as prints, the following five items were specifically invesigated in relation to the gingival color.
a. Morphology of the mucous membrane capillaries of gingivae.
b. The diameter of gingival mucous membrane capillaries and its relationship to the mean Munsell value.
c. The grouping of various pegrees of Munsell hue, value and chroma, and its relationship to the diameter of gingival mucous membrane capillaries.
d. The number of gingival mucous membrane capillary loops and its relationship to the mean Munsell value.
e. The relationship between the number of gingival mucous membrane capillary loops and their diameters, and the Munsell value.
The author arrived at the following conclusions as a result of these studies.
1. In terms of morphology of the mucous membrane capillaries of ginivae, a definite correlation was found in respect of the hue but any correlation was hardly observed neither with the value nor with chroma.
2. When the diameters of mucous membrane capillaries were grouped in terms of sizes and their relationships to the gingival coloration were studied, there was observed a clear change in the hue but it was lacking in consistency. Inthe value and chroma, on the other hand there was no appreciable relationship.
3. An attempt at the grouping of various degrees of Munsell hue, value and chroma with regard to the diameter of mucous membrane capillaries did not reveal any relationship worthy of notice.
4. When the number of mucous membrane capillary loops was grouped with regard to the gingival coloration, there was seen a definite change in the hue but it lacked the consistency. As ragards the value or chroma, there was no appreciable correlation.
5. When the number of capillary loops was divided into two classes: those over 50 and those below 50, and a relationship was studied between the average diameters of arserio-veins of these two classes and Munsell values, the following tendecies were established. That is, where there were less loops, the arterio-veins became thicker and red portions in the hoe increased correspondingly.
On the other hand, where there were more loops in number, the arterio-veins tended to become thin and yellow portions much increased in the hue.