INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the most important proteinases involved in the destruction of periodontal tissues. MMPs play a crucial role in breaking down extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, which are essential for the structural integrity of periodontal tissues. MMPs are secreted by various cells, including fibroblasts, macrophages, and neutrophils, and their dysregulation is associated with excessive tissue destruction in periodontal diseases. While collagenases and elastases are also involved in tissue breakdown, MMPs have been identified as the key proteinases in periodontal tissue destruction. Cytokines, on the other hand, are signaling molecules that regulate the immune response and inflammation but are not directly responsible for tissue destruction in the context of periodontal diseases.