Comparison of fresh autogenous and freeze-dried allogenic skin for mandibular vestibuloplasty.

This study compared the ability of fresh autogenous and freeze-dried allogenic split-thickness skin grafts to maintain vestibular depth following vestibuloplasty. Both graft systems resulted in covering of the alveolar ridge by firmly attached tissue, which would be expected to enhance prosthetic stability. The appearance of the fresh autogenous grafts was consistent with that of mature skin grafts, whereas the freeze-dried grafts had the appearance of alveolar mucosa. Vestibular depth stabilized at six weeks with both graft systems, and at six months there was no significant difference (P less than 0.05) between the freeze-dried and fresh grafts with respect to their ability to maintain vestibular depth.