Clinical concepts in regenerative periodontal therapy

Content
Regenerative periodontal treatment aims at the restitution of supportive periodontal tissues which have been lost during inflammatory periodontal disease or following trauma. Periodontal regeneration is defined as the reconstitution of a lost or injured part of the periodontium (i.e. formation of new cementum, new periodontal ligament and new bone) so that form and function of lost structures are restored. Results from animal and human histological studies have provided evidence that periodontal regeneration can be obtained following the use of some types of bone grafts/bone substitutes, enamel matrix proteins, growth factors, guided tissue regeneration or various combinations of these materials. Data from controlled clinical studies strongly suggest that the use of various regenerative techniques can also significantly improve the long-term prognosis of periodontally diseased teeth. The aim of this lecture is to present the biologic rationale and clinical concepts for for regenerative treatment of intrabony and furcation defects.