[Periodontal regeneration--finally a reality?]

Regeneration of lost tooth support has been the illusive goal of periodontal surgery for more than 100 years. Important progress was made in the nineteen-seventies when it was found that (1) periodontally involved root surfaces can be detoxified by mechanical and chemical means, (2) demineralized bone and dentin matrices have an osteoinductive potential, and (3) application of citric acid or tetracycline to the root surface during reconstructive surgery enhances attachment of granulation tissue and new collagen fibers. While experimental studies in animals have reported 100% connective tissue regeneration, clinical results have been less spectacular. More recently, improvements have included the introduction of membrane materials to guide tissue regeneration. Currently, resorbable membrane materials, osteinductive graft materials, and a variety of biologic response modifiers are being examined for their potential as adjuncts to periodontal regenerative procedures.