Microstructural vascularization and bone repair in periosteum after mucoperiosteal flap surgery

Abstract

We investigated the healing process in the periosteum after experimental flap surgery in beagle dogs by focusing on morphological changes of the microvasculature. We examined gingivo-periosteal vascular plexus specimens collected from around the maxillary anterior teeth, and used a light microscope (LM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) to histologically observe changes 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the operation. Similarly, we observed vascular corrosion cast specimens of the gingivo-periosteum, into which acrylic resin had been injected, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the vigorous vascularization that occurred in the periosteum as a reaction to the flap surgery, provided an important basis for the subsequent healing process. Further, we confirmed that the morphology of the gingivo-periosteal vascular plexus changed in accordance with the function of osteogenic cells, and contributed to regeneration of the periodontal tissue.