QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS OF STEM, MESENCHYMAL CELLS AND FIBROBLASTS OF THE PAPILLARY LAYER OF GINGIVA IN THE AREA OF THIRD MOLARS OF DIFFERENT AGE CHILDREN

Objective – to assess the specific volume and immunohistochemical description of vimentin production by stem, mesenchymal cells, and fibroblasts of the papillary layer of the gums of children of different age in the area of third molars that had to be removed for orthodontic reasons. Material and methods. The operation to remove third molars for orthodontic indications was performed on 95 children aged 11 to 18 years. The clinical examination of the children was carried out using generally accepted methods. Radiographic assessment of the state of the third molar buds was performed using the Demirjian method. Three observation groups were clinically and radiologically distinguished: I (n=30) – children aged 11-13 years, in whom the third molar was at the stage of a weakly mineralized bud (stage D according to Demirjian); II (n=35) – children aged 13-16 years, in whom the third molar was at the stage of a mineralized bud and the initial stages of root formation (stages E and F according to Demirjian) and III (n=30) – children aged 16-18 years, in whom the third molar was at the final stages of root formation (stages G and H according to Demirjian). The specific volume of stem, mesenchymal cells and fibroblasts of the papillary layer of the gingiva was determined on histological sections of gingival tissues from adjacent areas around third molars, taken during surgery. The content of vimentin in the studied cells was determined by immunohistochemical methods. Results. As a result of the study, histological and immunohistochemical data were obtained, which indicate that in the process of formation of the rudiments of third molars, multidirectional changes occur in the main stromal cells. In particular, from stage «D» to stage «H» the mass of mesenchymal cells (immature stromal cells) and their ability to produce vimentin decreases. At the same time, the mass of fibroblasts (mature cells) increases and their ability to produce vimentin increases. Conclusions. Histological and immunohistochemical study of the papillary layer of the gingiva in the area of the third molars in children of different age revealed that during the formation of the tooth root, a number of changes occur regarding the quantitative composition of the cells of the papillary layer of the gingiva.