Re‐epithelialization of a palatal connective tissue graft transplanted in a non‐keratinized alveolar mucosa: A histological and biochemical study in humans

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the type of tissue obtained after transplantation of a connective tissue graft, from the same palatal donor site, into a non‐keratinized oral mucosa in humans. In 6 human volunteers, a thick palatal epithelio‐connective tissue graft was excised, split into two thinner grafts (a thin epithelio‐connective tissue graft and a connective tissue graft) and transplanted into controlateral areas lacking keratinized gingiva. The biopsies, excised 3 months post‐operatively, were examined using routine histology, immunofluore‐scence techniques with different anticy to keratin antibodies and biochemical techniques with non‐equilibrium two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results show that the epithelio‐connective tissue grafts display the histological and biochemical characteristics of keratinized gingiva, whereas the connective tissue grafts expressed features belonging both to keratinized and non‐keratinized gingival tissues. It is concluded that the deep palatal connective tissue does not have the full potential to induce non‐keratinized epithelial cells to keratinize and that a gingival or palatal connective tissue graft without its overlying epithelium is not likely to yield genuine attached gingiva.