| Thursday, July 3, 2008 | ||||||||
| 12:15 PM-1:30 PM Metro Toronto Convention Centre Level 600 Foyer (Reg Area), Lunch and Learning | ||||||||
| Cementogenesis and Periodontal Regeneration. Is It Still an Issue? | ||||||||
Sponsored by: Periodontal Research | ||||||||
| Description: As a component of the periodontium, root cementum is essential for tooth attachment. While loss of attachment due to periodontitis may be stopped by an appropriate treatment, the regeneration of periodontal tissues has its limitations. Particularly cementum regeneration is insufficient or not predictable. The recognition of these difficulties made cementum a major target in periodontal research. Issues that need clarification include determination of 1) the origin of cementoblasts during development and regeneration; 2) the nature of cell differentiation factors; 3) molecular factors that are selective for the genesis of a cementum variety providing maximum attachment function; and 4) conditions that result in an improved binding of regenerated cementum to the treated root surface. There is compiling evidence that Hertwig’s root sheath plays a key role in cementogenesis during root development. Clarification of its contribution to the development of the periodontium is imperative for further studies aimed at improving periodontal regeneration, since epithelial cells – known as epithelial rests of Malassez – persist throughout life in the periodontal ligament and may also be involved in tissue healing and regeneration. | ||||||||
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