Topical Treatment Promises Predictable Bone Regeneration
Topical Treatment Promises Predictable Bone Regeneration While methods to regenerate tooth supporting structures in periodontitis cases have shown some success, clinicians’ ability to regenerate those structures with solid predictability remains elusive. Results
Topical Treatment Promises Predictable Bone Regeneration
Topical Treatment Promises Predictable Bone Regeneration
While methods to regenerate tooth supporting structures in periodontitis cases have shown some success, clinicians’ ability to regenerate those structures with solid predictability remains elusive. Results from a new study that used a topically applied protein (or growth factor) to stimulate growth of periodontal tissue in a clinical trial, however, may bring predictable tissue regeneration in closer reach.
A team led by researcher Motokazu Kitamura from Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry in Japan used human subjects for a clinical trial that investigated the safety and effectiveness of the protein fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). This protein plays a role in development of the skeletal and nervous systems in mammals—and in humans large amounts of cell receptors are available in developing bone to which FGF-2 can attach. After working in previous investigations where FGF-2 was applied topically on dogs and monkeys, Kitamura initiated a trial to assess how the protein might perform as a periodontal therapy for humans.
The study included 253 adults who underwent periodontal surgery as treatment for periodontitis. Patients received one of three different doses of FGF-2 delivered randomly to localized bone defects. At 36 weeks follow-up, measurements found the percentage of bone fill generated by each dose of FGF-2 outperformed the standard of care vehicle alone. Researchers concluded that FGF-2 applied topically is effective in regenerating human periodontal tissue. They also noted no clinical safety problems connected to the treatment, such as ankylosis or an abnormal increase in alveolar bone.
Findings from Kitamura’s team were drawn from the largest multi-center human clinical trial to date using growth factor therapy to repair tooth-supporting osseous defects, according to William V. Giannobile, DDS, MS, DMSc, director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research at the School of Dentistry, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Giannobile is also editor-in-chief of Journal of Dental Research, which published the study, “FGF-2 Stimulates Periodontal Regeneration: Results of a Multi-center Randomized Clinical Trial” (available at http://bit.ly/jdr4616). In commenting about the study, Giannobile states: “This tissue engineering technology has important ramifications in treating localized bone defects around teeth resulting from periodontal diseases.”
Sources: International Association for Dental Research; Journal of Dental Research
