Healing of interpositional autologous bone grafts after total maxillary osteotomy

Healing of autologous interpositional bone grafts after total osteotomy in the Macaca fascicularis monkey was studied using clinical, histologic, microangiographic, and autoradiographic methods at varying intervals up to six months. Results indicated that the autologous graft was very osteogenic and incorporated by host bone. Graft revascularization became apparent at two weeks postoperatively, and bone healing time was between two to four weeks. A hypervascular response was present to at least the six-month healing stage. The palatal mucosa plus the facial gingiva provided an adequate nutrient pedicle for total maxillary osteotomies with interpositional bone grafting.