Microvascularization of the free gingival autograft.

Nobuto has previously reported on the initial anastomosis involved in establishing circulation between a free gingival autograft and the recipient bed. This study will present observations on the maturation of new sinusoidal vessels involved in maintaining circulation to the graft and the resulting histovascular organization. Using 56 mongrel dogs, the ongoing processes were observed periodically over 84 days after grafting. For this purpose, vascular corrosion casts were examined with the scanning electron microscope. At the same time, employing both light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, histopathological and ultrastructural observation on the developing three-dimensional vascular architecture were recorded with supporting photographs. Thus, the entire process from the development of a vascular plexus parallel to the bone surface on the seventh day to the transformation to a vertical dendritic vascular architecture firmly establishing the circulation to the graft by the 84th day, is provided in both descriptive and pictorial detail.