Journal of Dental Research, Vol 55, 16-21, Copyright © 1976 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Sequential electron microscopic healing study of grafted palatal mucosal
R. A. Weinstein, A. S. Rubinstein and N. C. Choukas
Human palatal mucosa may be glycerolized, frozen, thawed, and autogenically
transplanted with success after a storage period. Although tissue damage is
observed, both on a light and electron microscopic level, this is not
clinically significant. This damage is attributed to the glycerolization,
freezing, and thawing processes. As evidenced primarily by our
ultrastructural study, regeneration of grafted epithelium is effected via
the basal cell layer. The formation of intracytoplasmic vesicular
structures and alterations in both the basal lamina and intercellular
substances may play a significant role in the regenerative process. The
electron microscope has served to elucidate changes in regenerating cells
that have not been previously observed by light microscopy.
