The potential role of growth and differentiation factors in periodontal regeneration.

Polypeptide growth and differentiation factors (GDFs) are a class of biological mediators which have been shown to play a critical role in the stimulation and regulation of the wound healing process. Growth factors involved in repair and regeneration regulate several key cellular processes such as mitogenesis, chemotaxis, differentiation, and metabolism. The sequence of events necessary for periodontal regeneration relies on the above processes for osteogenesis, cementogenesis, and connective tissue formation. Numerous preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that certain growth factors modulate putative components of periodontal wound healing resulting in substantial regeneration of the periodontium in animals. However, these therapies are currently considered to be in the experimental stage of development and no growth factor therapy to treat periodontitis in humans has received approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This informational paper reviews the various aspects of GDFs on cells and tissues involved in periodontal wound healing. This paper was prepared by the Committee on Research, Science and Therapy of The American Academy of Periodontology and is intended for members of the dental profession.