The presence of bacteria within the oral epithelium in periodontal disease. I. A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study.

The presence of bacteria within the gingival oral epithelium and adjacent connective tissue in cases of periodontitis and localized juvenile periodontitis have been described using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The following bacterial morphotypes were identified: cocci, short rods, filaments and few spirochetes in periodontitis and mainly coccobacillary-shaped bacteria in localized juvenile periodontitis. Also Mycoplasma-like structures were identified in the localized juvenile periodontitis cases. Tunnel-like formations at different depths of the oral epithelium contained higher numbers of bacteria than those seen on the adjacent oral surface. Identification of specific bacteria in the oral epithelium may have important pathogenic and therapeutic implications.