RECONSTRUCTIVE GRAFT MATERIALS

Various types of bone grafts and also their combinations are used with varying degrees of success. Bone grafting is now a well-recognized choice in the treatment of periodontal osseous defects especially when used along with barrier membranes. Rapid developments in this particular field are leading us towards achieving the ultimate goal in periodontal therapy which is the regeneration of lost periodontal tissues. Although complete regeneration is now slow but sure progress. Autografts are still considered the ideal grafts except for the difficulty in obtaining them. So with the source limitations of autogenous bone and concerns regarding allogenic bone the role of bone substitutes is increasing these days. The future of bone grafts is most likely to lie in the industrially manufactured biomaterials in combination with laboratory-grown cells developed by tissue-engineering.