[Guided tissue regeneration in endodontics. Part 1]

Over the past twenty years, Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) has become an accepted technique for the treatment of tissue loss consequent to periodontal disease. The principles of GTR have recently begun to be employed in endodontics since pulpal necrosis often leads to periodontal tissue loss as a result of the leakage of noxious irritants through apical foramina and accessory canals. This treatment modality is still in its early days for the management of endo-perio lesions and is most appropriately used in specific types of cases. This article, the first of a two-part series, presents a review of the literature about the mechanisms of action of GTR and discusses some of the products used to bring about GTR.