title: Growth factors in implant site development.
abstract: Applications of growth factors to implant dentistry, specifically for site development, are currently being investigated. They hold promise for use in patients with vascular compromise, such as smokers, postradiation patients, and persons with diabetes. Delivery of these factors has been the major difficulty, but techniques such as tissue engineering using gene-based therapies, poly (L-lactide) scaffolds, alloplastic bone materials, and a biomimetic approach to bone engineering are currently under investigation. The merge of basic science research and clinical application has begun, and clinical use of growth factors in implant site development is one example.
authors: Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Room 53-076, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA. taghaloo@ucla.edu
authors: Tara L
authors: TL
authors: Aghaloo
authors: Anh D
authors: AD
authors: Le