Preclinical methods for the evaluation of periodontal regeneration in vivo

For the determination of key factors or devices that promote periodontal regeneration, preclinical investigations using in vivo animal models are critical for evaluating the biological responses before human clinical trial testing. In this chapter, we provide an overview on the commonly used preclinical animals for the study of reconstructive procedures to promote bone and soft tissue repair of tooth-supporting periodontal defects. Steps are provided on the animal management for evaluation of outcome measures using descriptive histology, histomorphometry, three-dimensional imaging, and safety assessments. The use of these key measures of periodontal regeneration should aid investigators in the selection of appropriate surrogate endpoints to be utilized in the clinical arena, which are not practical or ethical in humans. These methods will prepare investigators and assist them in identifying endpoints that can then be adapted to human clinical trial planning.