Biological mediators for periodontal and bone regeneration

In the past 25 years, significant advances in treatment have occurred in the area of periodontal and bone regeneration. Novel regenerative therapies have emerged based on an increased understanding of embryonic development and wound healing at the cellular and molecular level. Two approaches that have demonstrated significant regenerative potential include the administration of enamel matrix proteins and growth and differentiation factors. Current data regarding the use of enamel matrix proteins support their safety and efficacy. The use of recombinant growth and differentiation factors has been validated in preclinical and clinical trials. A new era of regenerative therapies has emerged, using biological mediators combined with scaffold materials to stimulate cellular processes required for the regeneration of oral tissues. The clinical application of these therapies will be to either replace or augment traditional regenerative treatments.