Periodontal Tissue Engineering Around Dental Implants

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed the revolution in implant dentistry. Many strategies have been explored to improve the properties of osseointegration, mechanical and physical characteristics of implants, as well as surface topography and coatings to control cell behavior. In parallel the advent of periodontal tissue (PDL) engineering has opened a new area in periodontal regeneration. Bioengineered -cementum-like tissue and PDL-like tissue with well inserted Sharpey's fibers were demonstrated via cells, biomaterials, and growth factors. With this proof-of-concept, the value of developing tissue-engineered PDL around dental implants was highlighted. Currently, there is strong evidence supporting the fact that an implant with tissue-engineered PDL that mimics natural tooth environment will score over an osseointegration scenario, and become not only the actual path toward replacing the extracted tooth back into its original place, but also solving the problems of badly decaying tooth that can be replaced with a dental implant with natural attachment. In this chapter we spotlight the current evidence of growing PDL around dental implants. 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.