Advancement of Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) Membranes for Dental Applications

Abstract

Periodontal disease leads to inflammation and consequently destruction of periodontium. The main aim of periodontal therapy is to minimize the inflammation by regeneration of defects. Over the past several decades, various materials as well as clinical techniques have been studied for repair and regeneration of periodontal defects. The tissue regeneration should permit proliferation of different cells in separate compartments, as four types of tissues constitute periodontium. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) was introduced to restrict the growth of epithelium in alveolar bone space. Several barrier membranes were developed to aid in this technique which included both natural and synthetic materials. To achieve essential function of space maintenance, non-resorbable membranes were used previously with bone graft materials. Although these membranes were widely used, however they had many disadvantages which led to development of second generation (resorbable) and third generation (functional) membranes. This chapter focuses on advanced developments of biodegradable polymers for use in GTR treatment. Moreover, non-resorbable and resorbable polymeric membranes, classifications, advanced experimental research, clinical applications, and their challenges are also discussed. The composite periodontal membranes are also under research. Despite the biocompatibility and biodegradability of unreinforced barrier membranes, these are deficient in anti-bacterial properties. Therefore, barrier membranes blended with functional materials have been fabricated which exhibited more benefits. The comparison of past and recent trends of barrier membranes can guide correctly for periodontal regeneration therapy.