Ultrastructure of the dento‐gingival junction after gingivectomy

The lateral incisors of 2 cynomolgus monkeys were removed with the adjacent gingiva in situ at intervals of 12 to 49 days after gingivectomy. Electron microscopic examination of the specimens indicated that epithelial reattachment may occur in 12 days or less under these experimental conditions. Hemidesmosomes and a basement lamina were regenerated against enamel as well as coronal and root cementum surfaces. Reattachment appeared to occur against both morphologically normal and superficially altered cementum. Enamel lamellae extending through the thin coronal cementum layer were not disturbed during the surgical procedure. Hemidesmosomes appeared to regenerate more rapidly than the basement laminas against either the tooth surface or the gingival connective tissue.