Reaction of oxytalan fibers in human periodontium to mechanical stress. A combined histochemical and morphometric analysis.

A combined histochemical and morphometric analysis was performed on normal and mechanically stressed periodontal tissue obtained from upper first premolars of ten boys. Oxytalan fibers were demonstrated histochemically according to the method of Fullmer and Lillie. Quantitative and qualitative oxytalan fiber alterations were evaluated by a morphometric analysis. The morphometric results proved that the oxytalan fiber reaction to increased mechanical stress was fibroplasia, fiber lengthening, and narrowing of the fiber diameter. No differences existed between the oxytalan fiber reaction in tension and pressure zones. These findings imply that the processes of functionally induced remodeling are not the same in the soft and hard tissue.