The healing of gingival wounds in miniature swine.

Standard wounds of simple incision and partial excision of the dentogingival junction were made in miniature swine. The healing from the 1st to the 14th day were described clinically and histologically, and the standardization of the wounds permitted quantitative and statistical analysis. In wounds that are closely adapted to the tooth, the epithelium of the new dentogingival junction contributes primarily to early wound strength recovery. This functional achievement probably would not occur with thick clots or hematomas, or with any displacement of the gingiva away from the tooth.