The potential contributions of cell and molecular biology to periodontal tissue regeneration

Periodontal disease results in the gradual loss of supporting periodontal tissues, and ultimately, the teeth. Although conventional periodontal therapy can arrest the progression of the disease and allow healing, the resulting tissue is unlike that of the normal, healthy periodontium. Cellular and molecular biologic techniques may facilitate our understanding of the regeneration of the periodontium. This review discusses recent findings in cellular and molecular biology relevant to the biology of periodontal tissue regeneration.