Host modulation as a therapeutic strategy

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are bacterial-induced inflammatory disease characterized by a complex interplay between the pathogens and the host tissue. A disturbance in the equilibrium between bacteria and host, results in periodontal tissue destruction. As periodontal disease progresses, a series of events occur in bacterial plaque, gingival sulcus, junctional epithelium, connective tissue, and bone, due to alteration in tissue homeostasis. This increasing awareness and knowledge of the host microbial interaction in periodontal pathogenesis has presented the opportunity for exploring new therapeutic strategies for periodontitis by means of targeting host response via host modulating agents. This has lead to the emergence of the field of “Perioceutics” i.e. the use of pharmacotherapeutic agents including antimicrobial therapy as well as host modulatory therapy for the management of periodontitis. These host modulating agents used as an adjunct tip the balance between periodontal health and disease progression in the direction of a healing response.