Regenerating the Periodontium

From Volume 35, Issue 5, June 2008 | Pages 304-312

Authors

Geoffrey Sharpe

Specialist in Periodontics, 2 Denmark Street, Gateshead, NE8 1NQ, UK

Articles by Geoffrey Sharpe

Neil Paterson

MPhil, DRD, FDS RCS(Edin)

Specialist in Periodontics, 2 Denmark Street, Gateshead NE8 1NQ, UK

Articles by Neil Paterson

Robin Seymour

School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK

Articles by Robin Seymour

Abstract

A variety of techniques have been used in an attempt to regenerate periodontal tissues. Studies have confirmed that considerable but varying amounts of new connective tissue attachment may form on teeth treated with these techniques. At present, careful case selection and meticulous surgical technique can regenerate the periodontium, although studies from the literature demonstrate a large variation in success rates. In the future, we can expect further developments from the field of tissue engineering to produce more predictable techniques that could allow us to regenerate lost periodontal tissues even more effectively.

Article