The three‐dimensional morphology of the epithelium‐connective tissue interface of the gingiva as related to age and sex

The morphology of the epithelium‐connective tissue interface was studied in gingival biopsy specimens of 29 male and 16 female Caucasians. Ten were 7–13 years of age, twenty 20–25, and fifteen 65–77 years of age. Separate three‐dimensional wax models (200 ×) were produced of the epithelium and connective tissue of the oral aspect of the free and attached gingiva. The average height, width, and number of connective tissue papillae or ridges and the average width of epithelial ridges were assessed for each specimen. In ten specimens of each age group measurements were made of the contact area between the epithelium and connective tissue. The length of the basement membrane and the volume of the epithelium was assessed within the same area. The essential age change of the epithelium‐connective tissue interface is the conversion of the connective tissue ridges to papillae. The contact area between the epithelium and connective tissue increases from the prepuberty to 20–25 years of age. The volume of the epithelium does not change with age. Sex‐related variations could not be observed.