Bioengineered periodontal ligament: Ligaplants, a new dimension in the field of implant dentistry – Mini review

Abstract

Periodontitis is the inflammation of hard and soft tissues of periodontal structures; if left untreated may lead to the tooth loss. Replacement of the missing tooth with an implant has gained immense popularity in the last few decades. Currently, development of a periodontal ligament (PDL) attachment around dental implants has now become an important new therapeutic tool to replace lost teeth. PDL houses various vital cells that are all important in the dynamic relationship between the tooth and the bone. Thus, ligaplants are now an available option to improve the biological performance and to prolong the life of the prosthesis.

Keywords

• Implant dentistry
• ligaplants
• periodontal ligament cells
• periodontal ligament
• periodontitis