Guided Bone & 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 stabilize endangered teeth or to prepare the jaw for dental implants.

As periodontal disease progresses, pockets of degenerated bone can develop in the jaw. These pockets can promote the growth of bacteria and the spread of infection. To address these pockets, our team may recommend tissue regeneration. During this surgical procedure, the pockets are thoroughly cleaned, and a membrane is placed between the soft tissue and the pocket in the bone. Some of these membranes are bioabsorbable, while others require removal. The membrane covers the pocket so that fast-growing soft tissue is blocked, allowing slower-growing bone to begin to grow, or “regenerate,” itself.

The effectiveness of the procedure can depend on the patient’s willingness to follow recommended oral hygiene techniques. Our team will help you determine if bone regeneration surgery is right for you.