Freeze-dried skin (FDS) allografts and fresh autogenous free gingival grafts (FGG) were placed in five paired sites in four patients. Both types of grafts healed uneventfully. Evaluation over a 1-year period demonstrated no statistically or clinically significant differences between the FDS and FGG when: a) increase in the width of keratinized gingiva, b) decrease in recession, c) decrease in sulcus depth, k) gain in attachment level, or e) percent shrinkage of the graft were compared. It was concluded that FDS performs essentially similar to FGG in the correction of mucogingival problems, and has the advantages of decreased patient morbidity (no donor site) and availability of abundant amounts of graft material when needed.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

Antiplaque potential of topical stannous fluoride.

Sterile enamel samples treated by topical application of 10% stannous fluoride were incubated with S mutans and S sanguis respectively and with a mixed culture to which L casei had been added. The results were compared with sterile nonfluoridated enamel samples subjected to the same procedures. The parameters compared were postincubation pH values, bacterial concentrations on the surfaces, and enamel surface alterations. Stannous fluoride treated samples consistently yielded higher pH readings than nonfluoridated samples; the concentration of microorganisms adhering to the surfaces was conspicuously reduced on the pretreated enamel when compared by scanning electron microscopy to untreated samples, as were enamel surface alterations. These findings lend support to other recent investigations which have shown that fluorides act in several ways to inhibit cariogenesis in addition to reducing hydroxyapatite solubility.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

Evaluation of the use of freeze-dried skin allografts in the treatment of human mucogingival problems.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the clinical responses to freeze-dried skin allografts when used to correct mucogingival problems in humans. FDS was obtained by the NMRI Tissue Bank after processing by standard procedures. The recipient sites were prepared using the standard partial thickness dissection with apical periosteal separation. Rehydrated FDS was sutured into place to completely cover the recipient sites. Routine postoperative procedures were performed. Evaluations were made by means of calibrated periodontal probe measurements, Kodachromes, and radiographs preoperatively and up to 12 months postoperatively. Fourteen patients received 24 FDS allografts over a total of 56 tooth sites. All treated teeth showed a substantial increase (greater than 2 mm) in the width of the zone of keratinized gingiva at all postoperative time periods (2.88 +/- 1.57 mm at 12 months). Other findings included a mean gain of attachment of 0.40 +/- 1.08 mm, a mean decrease in recession of 0.12 +/- 0.91 mm, and mean decrease in pocket depth of 0.33 +/- 0.53 mm. Patient comfort was good, and there were no untoward sequelae, even in patients receiving multiple grafts. This study indicates that FDS allografts are an acceptable and beneficial material for treatment of mucogingival problems in humans.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

PubMed1974