The development of guided regeneration: making the impossible possible and the unpredictable predictable.

Using their perspectives as early participants in guided regeneration development, the authors review the history of guided regeneration: from the precursive studies leading to the development of guided tissue regeneration for periodontium, through the development of guided bone regeneration for implants, to the long-term performance studies validating effectiveness. Landmark publications, original patents, and reviews are used to trace the therapy's development. By examining key studies and the scientists and clinicians who conducted them, the authors present clinical and biomaterials lessons learned and discuss developments that could shape the next guided regeneration developments.

1982-1992: A Decade of Technology Development for Guided Tissue Regeneration.

In the last decade guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy has evolved in both surgical technique and membrane technology. Given new applications and membrane materials, not only must new surgical techniques be critiqued, but membrane designs must be critically examined as well. A review of historical membrane development suggests that 5 design criteria are essential: 1) tissue integration; 2) cell-occlusivity; 3) clinical manageability; 4) spacemaking; and 5) biocompatibility. These criteria may be applied to select appropriate materials and designs for specific GTR applications. J Periodontol 1993; 64:1129-1137.