From Waste to Wonder: The Story of Dentin Grafts In Periodontal Regeneration

Periodontal regeneration is defined as the regeneration of the tooth’s supporting tissues, including alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum over a previously diseased root surface.(1)One of the major challenges in dentistry is achieving consistent and predictable regeneration of alveolar bone lost as a result of periodontitis. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure performed to restore or replace deficient bone using material derived from the patient or from artificial, synthetic, or naturally sourced substitutes. Owing to the close chemical resemblance between dentin and bone, extracted teeth can also serve as an alternative source of graft material.

Tooth-derived grafts are useful in periodontal treatment for filling intraosseous defects, preserving extraction sockets, ridge augmentation, and guided bone regeneration. Rather than being discarded, extracted teeth can be processed into a biocompatible graft material that promotes bone regeneration and may offer advantages over many conventional graft options.

This review summarizes the biological basis, processing techniques, and clinical applications of tooth-derived grafts, emphasizing their promise in advancing regenerative periodontal therapy.

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