Acellular Dermal Matrix Allografts to Achieve Increased Attached Gingiva. Part 2. A Histological Comparative Study

Abstract

The results of this 6-month histological evaluation suggest that: 1) the resultant tissue types of ADM grafts were similar to "scar" tissue; 2) the non-vital dermal matrix of ADM allograft lacked the capability of directing cyto-differentiation of the covering epithelium; 3) autogenous FGG-derived tissue was neither identical to donor palatal mucosa nor to adjacent gingiva propria; 4) the connective tissue of donor palatal mucosa only partially contributed to the differentiation of the epithelium covering the FGG-treated area; and 5) the epithelium/connective tissue microenvironment surrounding the recipient site influenced the epithelial differentiation of the graft; this may play a more critical role in ADM grafting than in the grafting of autogenous FGG.