Resolution of inflammation in periodontitis: a review.

Inflammation is a physiological response to an injury or infection. It is supposed to be self-limiting, stopping when the situation recovers to normal to protect the tissue. This self-limiting action is called "resolution of inflammation". Currently, periodontitis is thought to be the result of failed resolution of inflammation; specifically, it is the result of excessive inflammation that leads to gingival recession and alveolar bone loss. In this review, we will focus on the processes of resolution of inflammation in periodontitis, which may be a therapeutic target of periodontitis.