With periodontitis affecting increasing numbers of patients, and with recent studies showing the chronic disease could increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, there is an increasing need to find more effective and reliable therapies, with a special focus, notes News Medical: Life Sciences on "ones that promote gum tissue and bone regeneration with biological and mechanical features that can be adjusted based on treatment needs."
A team of UCLA researchers have answered the call with the development of a new class of membranes which address some of the issues with the current guided tissue regeneration treatments which aren't able to regenerate the gum directly, lose structural integrity in the mouth and which can't sustain prolonged drug delivery, as Dr. Alireza Moshaverinia, lead author of the study and assistant professor of prosthodontics at the UCLA School of Dentistry explains:
"Given the current disadvantages with guided tissue regeneration, we saw the need to develop a new class of membranes, which have tissue and bone regeneration properties along with a flexible coating that can adhere to a range of biological surfaces. We've also figured out a way to prolong the drug delivery timeline, which is key for effective wound healing."
The results of their work, which among other things tested the safety and efficiency of their newly-developed membrane, are promising, says Dr Moshaverinia.
"We've determined that our membranes were able to slow down periodontal infection, promote bone and tissue regeneration, and stay in place long enough to prolong the delivery of useful drugs. We see this application expanding beyond periodontitis treatment to other areas needing expedited wound healing and prolonged drug delivery therapeutics."
For more on this story, go to "Innovative membrane offers a viable solution for periodontitis"
