Periodontal disease causes bone loss around teeth, which can increase the chances for tooth loss. Once a tooth has been lost, the supporting jaw bone will disappear over time. This can make wearing dentures uncomfortable. However, simple techniques are now available to regrow lost bone, provide support for dental implants, or to improve esthetics beneath a fixed bridge.

Guided tissue bone regeneration does not always require the removal of bone from any other part of the body. Instead, many options use membrane barriers, tissue stimulating proteins, or bioactive growth factor gels. Occasionally bone grafting procedures are required; bone grafts can be from your own bone, tissue banks, or synthetic materials. The goal of each of these treatment options is to stimulate the body to grow new bone or to hold the space for the bone to regenerate into.

The Benefits

The bone and gum tissue should fit together like a turtleneck around your neck. But when periodontal disease is present, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed and pockets in the gums develop. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the tooth will need to be extracted.

Guided tissue bone regeneration helps the body to regenerate lost bone. By repairing the damage done by periodontal disease, this procedure will increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth and will decrease the odds of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.