Marine based biomaterials: A Marvel in Periodontal Regeneration – A Review

Abstract

This article is intended to reach out to the readers about the potential of marine based bio materials in the field of periodontal regeneration. Periodontal Regeneration is the reproduction or reconstruction of a lost or injured tissue so that the architecture and function of lost or injured tissues are completely restored. Regeneration done using guided tissue regeneration procedures helps in guiding the regeneration of periodontal structures through differential tissue responses. Various types of barrier membranes or bone grafts used for regenerative procedures are autograft, allograft, xenograft and alloplast. Xenografts such as bovine, porcine had been used commonly in the regenerative procedures. Since the bovine derived collagen have higher risk of encephalopathy other sources of collagen have been researched upon. Besides mammalian collagen, it has been suggested that fish collagen have the potential that can be used in the development of GTR/GBR. In order to overcome the shortcomings in collagen and to improve the regenerative potential, researches are being made with the addition of various natural bioactive substances like chitosan and hydroxyapatite.