Immunoglobulins in periodontal tissues. III. Concentrations of immunoglobulins in dilantin-induced and idiopathic gingival hyperplastic tissues.

Immunoglobulin levels in both Dilantin-induced and idiopathic hyperplastic gingiva were determined and compared with the concentrations in normal gingival tissue. A statistically significant increase in IgG was found in Dilantin hyperplastic tissue, but no significant difference could be shown for idiopathic gingival hyperplasia. IgA levels did not differ significantly in the three types of tissue assayed. IgM was detected in 90% of the Dilantin hyperplastic gingival specimens assayed (mean GI = 1.2) and in 75% of the idiopathic hyperplastic tissue (mean GI = 0.7). This incidence of IgM detection was higher than that reported for normal and inflamed gingiva from periodontitis patients. The significance of these findings and possible correlation with the degree of tissue inflammation are discussed.