Bracket, R, Gargiulo, A. Free gingival grafts in humans. J. Perio. 41:581, 1970

AIM

The purpose of this paper is to correlate histologic findings with changes in the underlying bone and periodontal ligament in human.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

7 human patients were used. A free gingiva graft was performed on the max. anterior attached tissue ( not a inadequate area) site was over the thinnest part of the alveolar bone. Block sections were taken from different patients at 2, 4, 8, 17, 23, and 49 days.

RESULTS

• At 2 days the graft was delineated by a large number of inflammatory cells, some RBC, and large dilated capillaries. graft interphase showed an abundance of fibrin. Degeneration of graft epithelium. The alveolar bone showed no evidence of osteoclastic activity.
• At 4 days fibrin interphase disappeared, and osteoclastic activity was present on the alveolar surface.
• At 8 days, capillary loops in graft, resorption of bone, connective tissue fibers showed orientation running almost exclusively parallel w/ the alveolar bone.
• 17 days- epithelium was thicker, osteoclastic activity has ceased on the periodontal ligament side. and much new bone was seen on the buccal side. earliest mitotic figures.
• at 23 days, rete pegs were regenerated.
• At 49 days distinct rete pegs.
• At 6 month- specimen showed epithelium, connective tissue and denseness of vascularity indistinguishable from nongrafted gingiva.
• Graft adaptation and take is initiated at 2 days, total repair is accomplished by the 8th day. They saw less osseous trauma and earlier more abundant formation of osseous tissue.

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