Scanning electron microscopy contribution in oral pathology.

The comparative study by optical and scanning electron microscopy provides useful information in oral pathology. Four aspects of the superficial cell surface of the lip and the gingival and lingual mucosa can be described: 1. parallel microridges; 2. honeycomb appearance; 3. microvilli; 4. a more or less smooth surface. This 4th type is often encountered in cases of leukoplakia and in carcinomas. The variable morphology of the epithelial surface may be related to cells modifications during maturation. In hairy tongue conditions, the filiform papillae are enlarged by cellular conglomerates and by apposition of bacteria and pseudohyphae, while in a case of sclerodermia they were no more visible.