Biodegradable system for regenerating the periodontium
AssigneeAtrix Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Dunn, Arthur J. Tipton, George L. Southard, Jack A. Rogers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are described for assisting the restoration of periodontal tissue in a periodontal pocket and for retarding migration of epithelial cells along the root surface of a tooth. The methods involve placement of an in-situ forming biodegradable barrier adjacent the surface of a tooth. The barrier is microporous and includes pores of defined size. The barrier can include a biologically active agent.
Claims13
A method for assisting the restoration of periodontal tissue in a periodontal pocket, comprising:
- placing a liquid mixture of a biodegradable, curable, thermosetting prepolymer, curing agent and a water-soluble material into the periodontal pocket;
- wherein the water-soluble material dissipates into periodontal fluids, the thermosetting prepolymer cures in situ by formation of covalent bonds to form a water-immiscible thermoset polymer as a solid biodegradable implant, and the dissipation of the water-soluble material creates pores within the solid biodegradable implant having sizes in the range of about 3 to about 500 microns, the solid biodegradable implant having a porosity in the range of about 5 to 95 percent provided by the pores, and the sizes of the pores and porosity being effective to promote cell growth.
A method for retarding apical migration of epithelial cells along a root surface of a tooth comprising placing a liquid mixture of a biodegradable, curable, thermosetting prepolymer, curing agent and water-soluble material into said periodontal pocket;
- wherein said water-soluble material dissipates into periodontal fluids and the curable thermosetting prepolymer cures in situ to form a water-immiscible thermoset polymer as a solid biodegradable barrier adjacent to said surface, and said dissipation of the water-soluble material creates pores within said solid biodegradable barrier having sizes in the range of about 3 to about 500 microns;
- said solid biodegradable barrier having porosity in the range of 5 to 95% provided by said pores;
- and the sizes of said pores and porosity being effective to promote cell growth.
A method for promoting guided tissue regeneration in a periodontal pocket comprising:
- placing a liquid mixture of a biodegradable, curable, thermosetting prepolymer, curing agent and a water-soluble material into a periodontal pocket;
- wherein said water-soluble material dissipates into periodontal fluids and said thermosetting prepolymer cures in-situ to form a water-immiscible thermoset polymer as a solid biodegradable implant, and said dissipation of the water-soluble material creates pores within said solid biodegradable implant having sizes in the range of about 3 to 500 microns;
- said biodegradable implant having a porosity in the range of 5% to 95% provided by said pores;
- and the sizes of said pores and porosity being effective to create cell growth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.