Abstract: A process for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria and aiding in periodontal tissue healing within the oral cavity by binding therapeutic agents to surfaces is described. The process includes initial coating of hard surfaces in the oral cavity such as tooth roots, dental restorative materials, dental implants, and guided tissue regeneration surgery barrier membranes with a cationic surfactant, tridodecylmethylammonium chloride, and then binding antibiotics such as tetracycline, metronidazole or with Platelet Derived Growth Factor. These surfaces are thereby made unavailable for bacterial colonization. Tooth roots, barrier membranes and other materials used in regenerative periodontal surgery also may be coated with cationic surfactant to bind local or added platelet derived growth factors.