Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can lead to the destruction of the periodontal
tissues and ultimately tooth loss. Regeneration of the reduced periodontium is the ideal goal in periodontal
therapy. To date, regenerative therapy with membranes, bone grafting materials, growth factors and the
combination of these procedures have been investigated and employed with distinct levels of clinical success.
Barrier membranes prevent epithelial down growth, allow periodontal ligament and alveolar bone cells to
repopulate the defect thereby favoring the regeneration of periodontal tissues. This article discusses various
membranes used for periodontal regeneration and their impact on the experimental or clinical management of
periodontal defects.