Healing of interpositional allogeneic lyophilized bone grafts following total maxillary osteotomy.

Healing of allogeneic lyophilized bone grafted to total maxillary osteotomy sites was studied in Macaca fasciularis monkeys using histologic, microangiographic, and autoradiographic methods. Results of the study indicate that allogeneic lyophilized grafts are slowly replaced by host bone. Revascularization around the margins of the graft becomes evident at two weeks and increases until eight weeks; a hypervascular response is still present at six months. The palatal mucosa and facial gingiva provide an adequate nutrient pedicle for interpositional allogeneic grafts.