Stem Cells & Growth factors in Periodontal Regeneration

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease which manifests clinically as loss of supporting periodontal tissues including periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. For decades periodontists have sought ways to repair the damage which occurs during periodontitis. This has included the use of a range of surgical procedures the use of a variety of grafting materials and growth factors and the use of barrier membranes. To date periodontal regeneration is considered to be biologically possible but clinically unpredictable. Recently reports have begun to emerge demonstrating that populations of adult stem cells reside in the periodontal ligament of humans and other animals. This opens the way for new cell-based therapies for periodontal regeneration. Growth factors are natural cell products that are released or activated when cell division is needed. In periodontal regeneration the coronal re-establishment of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is required together with corresponding cementum and supporting alveolar bone. When combinations or cocktails of different factors are used greater repair is achieved than when individual factors are applied.