Quantitative assessment of free gingival grafts with and without periosteum and osseous perforation.

Forty free gingival grafts were performed on 5 adult Rhesus monkeys as follows: 10 grafts were placed on recipient sites with periosteum; 10 grafts on periosteum and perforated cortical plate; 10 grafts on bared bone; and 10 grafts on perforated bared bone. All free autografts (7 X 5 X 1 mm) were taken from the palatal mucosa and were sutured in place. Clinical evaluation and photographs were taken at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks postoperatively. At 24 weeks, a device was used to measure quantitatively the amount of force necessary to pull the graft 2 mm away from the underlying bone. Biopsy of two grafts of each type were taken for histologic examination. The following conclusions were drawn: 1. There was no difference in the survival or healing pattern of grafts placed on periosteum and grafts placed on bared bone.