Future Prospects for Periodontal Bioengineering Using Growth Factors

Abstract

Polypeptide growth factors have demonstrated strong potential to repair defects associated with teeth and dental implants. Over the past two decades, intense research efforts have led to the clinical development of several growth factors or biologic agents, including bone morphogenetic proteins, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factors, and enamel matrix proteins. Several of these growth factors are now being used clinically for a variety of applications, such as the promotion of periodontal regeneration, sinus floor augmentation, and root coverage procedures. Although clinical results have been promising and growth factors add another dimension to clinical care, optimization of growth factor targeting approaches to periodontal wounds remains a challenge. Enhancement of growth factor local application to improve bioavailability, bioactivity, and allowance of three-dimensional reconstruction of complex anatomic defects is a goal. This article will highlight developments for growth factor delivery to better stimulate the wound healing response for periodontal and bone regeneration in the maxillofacial region.

Postdoctoral Periodontal Program Directors’ Perspectives of Resident Selection

“…The field of periodontics continues to be rooted in biomedical sciences, making it appealing for those interested in clinical and scientific research. Regenerative procedures using growth factors and scaffolding matrices, as well as genetic and stem cell biotechnology, show promising benefits for periodontal treatment of the natural dentition 21 . This should continue to be an integral part of the specialty and should not be overlooked.…”

Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor Promotes Periodontal Regeneration in Localized Osseous Defects: 36‐Month Extension Results From a Randomized, Controlled, Double‐Masked Clinical Trial

“…This should improve the prognosis of the tooth by making the area amenable to patient and therapist debridement procedures. Over the past years, there have been significant interest and encouraging outcomes in the development of growth factor–based therapies to stimulate periodontal regeneration, 25,26 with the recent publication of several important randomized controlled clinical trials and case series using growth factors, such as PDGF‐BB, 7,27 fibroblast growth factor‐2, 28 and growth and differentiation‐5 29 . These trials highlight the continued investigation of the field of growth factor biology and bioengineering technologies to promote regeneration of periodontal osseous defects.…”

Clinical and patient‐reported outcomes of tissue engineering strategies for periodontal and peri‐implant reconstruction

“…These biological mediators have the potential to induce intracellular signaling pathways, activating genes that change the activity and the phenotype of the targeted cell 90,91 . Advancements in cellular and molecular biology have allowed for a better understanding of the role of the different growth factors and cytokines on the wound healing dynamics (Figure 4), which is the basis of tissue engineering strategies utilizing recombinant human growth factors or biologic agents 90,92,93 . The goal of growth factor therapy is regenerating damaged tissue by mimicking the processes occurring during embryonic and postnatal development 90,94 .…”

“…The goal of growth factor therapy is regenerating damaged tissue by mimicking the processes occurring during embryonic and postnatal development 90,94 . Although several signal molecules play a role during wound healing, it may be assumed that using a single recombinant growth factor can induce molecular and biochemical cascades that will eventually promote regeneration 90,93,95 . Recombinant human platelet–derived growth factor‐BB, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2, ‑4, ‑7, and ‑12, recombinant human growth and differentiation factor, and recombinant human fibroblast–growth factor are among the most investigated growth factors for oral regeneration.…”