HEALING OF THE ORAL-MUCOSA WITH THE USE OF COLLAGEN ARTIFICIAL SKIN

Wounds were prepared in the oral cavity of 15 rabbits and five dogs, and an enzyme-solubilized calfskin collagen was placed over the surgery sites on one side. The contralateral sides acted as controls. Results indicated that the membrane was biologically acceptable to the oral mucosa of rabbit and dogs. The collagen did not cause any adverse reaction and may have been responsible for the clinical impression of slightly more rapid healing of the gingivae in dogs. Clinical implications of this material's utilization produce some exciting ideas for future research.