Reconstructive periodontal surgery: a challenge for modern periodontology

The overall rationale for the proposed clinical approach in this paper comes from consideration of different regenerative approaches reported in the literature. The protocol proposed is based mainly on evidence and partly on the clinical experience of the author and co-workers, who have found that patient associated factors such as plaque control, residual periodontal infection, and smoking habits are those of particular relevance. Among the technical/surgical associated factors, lack of primary closure of the interdental space and consequent bacterial contamination of the regenerating wound represent the most significant factors leading to compromised outcomes. Modified flap designs and a microsurgical approach have been shown to improve the outcomes. There is now sufficient evidence to suggest that clinicians can incorporate periodontal regeneration in their surgical armamentarium. Periodontal regeneration can be predictably used to treat deep pockets associated with deep intrabony defects in young and old people, aimed at pocket/defect resolution with aesthetic preservation, gain of clinical attachment and bone.