SERVICES

Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration

Gum disease has traditionally been treated by eliminating the gum pockets by trimming away the infected gum tissue and by re-contouring the uneven bone tissue. Although this is still an effective way of treating gum disease, new and more sophisticated procedures are used routinely today. One of these advancements is guided bone regeneration, also referred to as guided tissue regeneration. This procedure is used to promote bone growth around diseased teeth or to prepare the jaw for dental implants.

As periodontal disease progresses, bone loss develops around the teeth and in the jaw. These pockets in the bone can promote the growth of bacteria and the spread of infection. To address the bony pockets, Drs. Stehle, Tanner, and Hall may recommend tissue regeneration. During this surgical procedure, the bony pockets are cleaned thoroughly, and a small amount of granular bone product is placed in the bony defect. Sometimes additional proteins or growth factors are added to the bone grafting material to promote bone growth.  A bio-absorbable membrane is occasionally used to cover the bone graft.  The membrane covers the bony pocket so that fast-growing soft tissue is prevented from entering the area, and slower-growing bone can begin to grow, or “regenerate” itself.

The effectiveness of the procedure generally depends on the patient's willingness to follow a strict postoperative diet and careful oral care. Drs. Stehle, Tanner, and Hall will help you determine if bone regeneration surgery is right for you.