RESUMO
@#Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral diseases and a prime reason for adult tooth loss. One of the goals of periodontal therapy is to regenerate and restore the periodontal tissues affected by periodontitis to their original architectural form and function. Cementum is an important component of periodontal tissue that plays a significant role in periodontal tissue regeneration. Explorations of the characteristics and components of cementum and the potential of growth factors related to cementum formation, especially the roles played by cementum-specific proteins and their potential in promoting periodontal regeneration, have become popular in current research. Here, we review the characteristics and components of cementum and the potential roles played by cementum-specific proteins during cementum formation and periodontal regeneration.