Periodontal disease is a gum infection that can spread to your jawbone. Without proper bone support, you may lose your teeth due to periodontitis.
Your periodontist may recommend a regeneration procedure if the supporting tissues & bone around your teeth have been damaged because of your periodontal infection. When gum disease is severe, you lose bone and tissue around your teeth that do not grow back on their own. Fortunately, a procedure called Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) can help to reverse some of the damage by helping your body regrow new bone & tissue.
What is Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR)?
GTR is a technique used to repair periodontal defects so that your teeth are more supported and healthier.
By removing harmful bacteria placing certain grafting materials, GTR can stimulate your body to grow new jawbone and gum tissue lost due to disease. This growth fills defects in bone and adds new height in tissue and bone, giving the tooth more attachment of tissue and increases support within your jaw. Increasing support helps you to keep your teeth longer and improves overall oral health.
How is GTR Done?
GTR is a periodontal surgery procedure that is done in-office using local anesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable.
During this procedure, your periodontist will gently fold back your gum tissue, remove harmful bacteria and deposits, and fill the area with membranes that stimulate bone and tissue regrowth by using proteins can encourage your body to naturally ability regrow new bone and tissue. After the procedure is done, small sutures and a periodontal bandage will be placed.
Your periodontist and surgical assistant will provide you with appropriate post-op instructions that will promote the most comfortable healing.
You will then return in two-weeks for a follow-up appointment.
How does GTR Help?
The membranes that are used in GTR help to keep certain tissues separated so others can grow. Essentially, it keeps soft tissue from growing into the defects of the damaged bone. The membrane blocks certain soft tissue cells that grow rapidly from growing into the area treated. By blocking fast-growing soft tissue cells, bone-making cells have a chance to regrow.
Not only does regenerating bone and tissue help to repair the damage caused by the progression of your gum disease, it also helps to reduce your periodontal pocket depths, which help you to more easily clean your teeth and remove harmful bacteria that builds daily.
After tissue regeneration surgery, maintenance is the key to success. The combination your good oral hygiene and professional periodontal maintenance cleanings at your periodontal office will not only increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth but will also decrease the chances of other health problems associated with periodontal disease.