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 available today. One of these advancements is guided bone regeneration, also referred to as guided tissue regeneration. This procedure is used to regrow bone about endangered teeth or to prepare the jaw for dental implants.

As periodontal disease progresses, gum pockets develop after bone loss around the teeth in the jaw. These pockets can promote the growth of bacteria and the spread of infection. To address these pockets, Dr. Davis may recommend tissue regeneration. During this surgical procedure, the pockets are cleaned thoroughly, and a covering membrane is placed over a bone graft between the soft tissue and graft. Most membranes are bio-absorbable and some require removal. The membrane covers the grafted socket 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 healing potential and meticulous oral home care. Dr. Davis will help you determine if bone regeneration surgery is right for you.