Biologic basis for interpositional autogenous bone grafts to the mandible.

Interpositional autogenous bone grafting procedures were performed in the mandibles of 12 beagle dogs to assess cell survival within the graft and the superiorly repositioned alveolus, and to monitor the remodeling process. Histologic and radiologic results indicated that the grafts were well accepted and that new bone was rapidly laid down on their trabeculae. However, the osteocytes within the autografts generally did not survive. There was no evidence of necrosis of the superiorly displaced alveolus, nor any resorption of its surface cortex, and it rapidly united with the autograft and the mandible to produce a stable structure. This study confirms that the lingual pedicle of soft tissue is adequate to maintain the viability of the superiorly repositioned alveolus or segment and to allow rapid remodeling of the autogenous bone graft.