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, other procedures are also used routinely today. One of these advancements is guided tissue regeneration, which is used to stabilize endangered teeth.

During this surgical procedure, pockets are cleaned thoroughly, and a membrane is installed between the soft tissue and the pocket in the bone.  The membrane covers the bone pocket so that fast-growing soft tissue is blocked, 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.   Ultimately, this procedure has potential to regenerate the bone that has been lost in the gum disease process.