title: Small-Scale Fabrication of Biomimetic Structures for Periodontal Regeneration.
abstract: The periodontium is the supporting tissues for the tooth organ and is vulnerable to destruction, arising from overpopulating pathogenic bacteria and spirochaetes. The presence of microbes together with host responses can destroy large parts of the periodontium sometimes leading tooth loss. Permanent tissue replacements are made possible with tissue engineering techniques. However, existing periodontal biomaterials cannot promote proper tissue architectures, necessary tissue volumes within the periodontal pocket and a "water-tight" barrier, to become clinically acceptable. New kinds of small-scale engineered biomaterials, with increasing biological complexity are needed to guide proper biomimetic regeneration of periodontal tissues. So the ability to make compound structures with small modules, filled with tissue components, is a promising design strategy for simulating the anatomical complexity of the periodotium attachment complexes along the tooth root and the abutment with the tooth collar. Anatomical structures such as, intima, adventitia, and special compartments such as the epithelial cell rests of Malassez or a stellate reticulum niche need to be engineered from the start of regeneration to produce proper periodontium replacement. It is our contention that the positioning of tissue components at the origin is also necessary to promote self-organizing cell-cell connections, cell-matrix connections. This leads to accelerated, synchronized and well-formed tissue architectures and anatomies. This strategy is a highly effective preparation for tackling periodontitis, periodontium tissue resorption, and to ultimately prevent tooth loss. Furthermore, such biomimetic tissue replacements will tackle problems associated with dental implant support and perimimplantitis.
authors.affiliation: Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Oral Science Research Center, BK21 PLUS Project, Yonsei University College of DentistrySeoul, South Korea; Oral Biosciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Research Institute for Periodontal Regeneration, Yonsei University College of Dentistry Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Oral Science Research Center, BK21 PLUS Project, Yonsei University College of DentistrySeoul, South Korea; Oral Biosciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Han-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jung
keywords: 3D bioprinting; cell sheet engineering; modular biomaterials; periodontium; tissue engineering