periodontal regeneration
Other
Periodontitis, evoked by the bacterial biofilm (dental plaque) that forms around teeth, progressively destroys the periodontal tissue supporting the teeth, including the periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone and gingiva. Ultimately, this chronic inflammatory disease can lead to loss of the affected teeth [1]–[ Some success has been achieved in suppressing progression of periodontitis by mechanically removing bacterial biofilm, the very cause of the disease. However, removal of the cause, bacterial plaque, with conventional periodontal and/or surgical treatments can, at best, reduce pocket depth and diminish inflammation in the affected region. No such treatment can ever regenerate lost periodontal tissue or normal structure and functionality. To regenerate periodontal tissue destroyed by periodontitis, the chain of events requires stimulation of cementoblasts and osteoblasts into differentiation on the dental root and alveolar bone surfaces facing the region of periodontal tissue defect, followed by regeneration of the cementum and alveolar bone.