Clinical evaluation of free autogenous gengival grafts placed on alveolar bone. Part I. Clinical predictability.

1. Thirty free autogenous gingival grafts were placed on bone and 30 were placed on a periosteal bed. The distribution into the groups was random. All 60 grafts survived, showing that both procedures were predictable. 2. Over one-half (17 of 30) of those on periosteum demonstrated mobility by 6 months postoperatively. No mobility was observed in the group placed directly on bone. 3. Osseous placed grafts demonstrated less swelling and better hemostasis than did the periosteally placed grafts. 4. A healing lag was observed in the grafts placed on bone which lasted only for the first two postoperative visits, approximately 2 weeks. 5. No infections or sequestrations were noted in any case.