Regeneration Therapy in Furcation Defect

One of the main objectives of periodontal therapy is to regenerate tissues lost as a result of periodontal disease.1 Regeneration is the growth and differentiation of the new cells and intercellular substances to form its precursor or regeneration occurs through same type of tissue that has been destroyed from same type of precursor. It is a continuous-physiological phenomenon of new cells along with tissues which are constantly formed and manifested by mitotic activity in epithelium and connective tissue, new bone formation, and continuous cementum deposition. Histological and clinical studies have reported the potential of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) to regenerate alveolar bone, cementum and the periodontal ligament.2,3 The furcation area represents a unique periodontal site with specific anatomic and pathogenic characteristics and with important clinical and therapeutic implications. The progression of chronic inflammation during periodontitis may affect the bifurcation or trifurcation of multirooted teeth. Furcation morphology may restrict access for adequate debridement and root instrumentation and may have a reduced source of available cells and blood supply from the periodontal ligament and bone defect. One important factor for successful regeneration at furcation and nonfurcation sites is the amount of periodontium that remains apical and lateral to the defect. Coronal migration of cells originating from the periodontal ligament and bone marrow spaces is particularly critical to the healing outcome following periodontal regenerative procedures in furcation defects.