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.