Scanning electron microscopy of the epithelium‐connective tissue interfacein human gingiva

The morphological characteristics of the interface between epithelium and connective tissue in normal human gingiva were examined by scanning electron microscogy after separation of epithelium and connective tissue by maceration in sodium bromide solution. Separated crevicular epithelium showed dispersed arcade‐shaped pits corresponding to long conical connective tissue papillae. In the epithelium and connective tissue of the free gingiva, horizontal ridges ran parallel to the gingival margin. At the transition from free gingiva to attached gingiva, short conical connective tissue papillae arose from horizontal connective tissue ridges. Toward the alveolar mucosa these papillae increased in number, forming a honeycomb pattern on the separated epithelial surface.