OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of cells and scaffolds tissue engineering on the periodontal regeneration, and to evaluate the feasibility of nano-Hap-collagen (nHAC) as the scaffold material for periodontal tissue engineering.

METHODSDog autogenous periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) cultured in vitro were collected and seeded on the three-dimensional framework of nHAC. The cell growth in the scaffolds was observed by scanning electron microscope. And then the PDLCs-nHAC composites were transplanted into man-made periodontal defects, and the groups filled with nothing or filled only with nHAC were the controls. The dogs were sacrificed after 8 weeks and the periodontal regeneration was observed histologically.

RESULTSScanning electron microscope showed the porous structure of nHAC and the eugonic growth of cells in the nHAC scaffolds. The histological observation showed that the PDLCs-nHAC groups exhibited more new bone, new periodontal ligament and new cementum occupying the majority of the defects than the control groups, and the epitheliums were not observed.

CONCLUSIONSPeriodontal regeneration could be enhanced by the cells and scaffolds tissue engineering, and the PDLCs and nHAC could be used as the seed cell and the scaffold material for periodontal tissue engineering.