Gingiva as immunological protection of the periodontium. Minireview.

OBJECTIVES: The anti-infective, predominantly antibacterial protection of the periodontium has been well-mapped in its various inflammatory diseases, especially in different clinical forms of gingivitis and periodontitis. In various inflammatory periodontal diseases, many immunocompetent cells and substances have been identified in periodontal structures, including the gingiva, which implement and ensure this anti-inflammatory response. There is ample evidence that in many clinical forms of gingivitis and periodontitis, these immunological-defensive reactions occur in the gingival tissue. Our small review study aims to demonstrate that gingival tissue acts as a small immunological-defensive organ localized in the tissue of healthy gingiva at the necks of the teeth throughout the lifetime of our patients. Furthermore, through a literature search, we investigated whether the anti-inflammatory and defensive equipment and responses are identical in differently inflamed and clinically healthy gingiva. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compiled a small review study that illuminates the knowledge on the gingiva as an immunocompetent organ through a focused search and retrieval of currently available literature sources. Our small review study aims to demonstrate that gingival tissue acts as a small defensive-immunological organ localized in the healthy gingival tissue at the dental necks throughout the lifetime of our patients. Furthermore, through a literature search, we investigated whether the anti-inflammatory and defensive equipment and responses are identical in differently inflamed and clinically healthy gingiva. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm ongoing anti-inflammatory, immunological, and regenerative responses and processes in healthy gingival tissue that prevent bacterial and viral microorganisms from crossing into deeper periodontal tissues. From these results, we can further conclude that the healthy human gingiva performs an essential function as a relatively independent and small anti-inflammatory and lymphatic organ.