“…It is conceivable that these structures react to changes in endocrine activity in a similar way as does the connective tissue in other parts of the body. Sex hormones -presumably mainly estrogensmay alter connective tissue in various ways: 1) estrogens have been shown to be involved in synthesis of collagen and to take part in endosteal bone formation (Urist et al, 1950, Shklar and Glickman 1956, Nutlay et al 1954, 2) estrogens may depolymerize muco-polysaccharides of the ground substance and, at the same time, lead to an increase in the sodium and chloride content of connective tissue which causes water retention and edema, 3) estrogens may increase vascular permeability and may produce hyperemia (Labhart 1957, Kaufmann and Zander 1959, Gersh and Catchpole 1960, Diczfalusy and Lauritzen 1961, Schifl" 1966. These combined efTects should alter the biophysical properties of the connective tissue system, ln respect to the tooth supporting structures, this would be reflected by less resistance towards forces acting on the crown of teeth and accordingly by an increased tooth mobility.…”