Human Periodontal Cells Demonstrate Osteoblast-Like and Fibroblast-Like Characteristics in Tissue Culture

Clinical research suggests that subpopulations of cells from the periodontium determine the mode of healing after periodontal surgery. However, few studies characterizing cells from the periodontium have been completed. Therefore the phenotypes of cells in the periodontium remain in question. The purpose of this study was to characterize the phenotypes of cells cultured from human periodontium in order to provide insight into healing mechanisms. Periodontal ligament cells were cultured from tissue scraped from third molars and gingival cells were cultured from tissue removed during periodontal surgery. Distinct cell populations in the periodontal ligament are potentially capable of regenerating the distinct components of the attachment apparatus. The presence of similar osteoblast-like cells in gingiva and periodontal ligament emphasizes similarities between the connective tissue of gingiva and periodontal ligament. Possible regeneration of peridontal attachment by cells from the attached gingiva under certain conditions is not ruled out. Keywords Dentistry Oral surgery Theses.