In vitro cultivation of adult human gingiva I. primary epithelial outgrowth from gingival explants.

The in vitro behavior of human gingiva was studied using a simple tissue culture technique. Gingival explants from adult patients undergoing periodontal surgery were cultivated in three different media for periods up to three weeks. It was demonstrated that primary epithelial cell cultures can be obtained under simple and predictable conditions. The migrating cells were compact and uniform in shape and resembled the spinous cell layer of a squamous stratified epithelium. Mitotic activity was regularly observed all over the outgrowth, which continued to grow throughout the entire experimental period.