Modulation of the host inflammatory response in periodontal disease management: exciting new directions.

Background: New strategies for periodontal disease management have been emerging as more is learned about the role of the host response. Our increasing understanding of inflammation and its resolution has opened the door to the study of new periodontal treatment strategies. This review examines periodontal disease in the light of a new understanding of the role of inflammation in disease expression thus setting the stage for the development of new prevention and treatment strategies of a widespread disease.

Methods: We examined current publications and focused on articles relating to anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution mechanisms in periodontal disease.

Results: Recent research has examined the inflammatory and resolution cascade in greater detail while looking at endogenous and exogenous mediators that can be utilised to achieve therapeutic end-points. The possible introduction of 'resolution indices' for drug testing warrants a new look at pharmacologic agents that might have been overlooked for their beneficial effects in periodontal disease treatment.

Conclusion: The emerging awareness of inflammation and its control in periodontal disease management underscores the importance of exploring inflammatory pathways and mediators, thus exploring new ways to control inflammation. This direction of research promises a new era in drug discovery and therapeutics for periodontal disease treatment.