Glycosaminoglycan constituents of the periodontium have been detected in supragingival and subgingival dental calculus. They are polyanionic heteropolysaccharides containing -COOH and SO3H residues. The non-sulfated hyaluronan is present in supragingival calculus, whereas chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and heparan sulfate are detected in subgingival calculus. They are implicated in both...