Dental Bone & Gum Grafting
Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth.
If left untreated the periodontal pockets continue to deepen, giving way to more infection, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss and other complications.
When periodontal disease has destroyed the bone supporting your teeth this damage can be reversed by regenerating lost bone and tissue. Naturally it is first essential to remove the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes, bone grafting or tissue- stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.
Bone Substitution
We use synthetic Bone substitutes extensively as a matrix for forming new bone. New natural bone grows around and in-between this material. Natural bodily processes replace the substitute with natural solid bone over a period of about six months. Often,
We are usually able to place the substitute material at the same time as we set a dental implant. In cases of extreme bone loss however we may need to do it as a separate preliminary procedure.
Guided tissue regeneration
GTR is a surgical procedure we use to promote bone growth where the jaw has been damaged by periodontal disease. It can be used in combination with bone grafting. Most often we use this procedure to prepare an area of the jaw for dental implants. This is a very safe route procedure that we have used extensively.
We begin by exposing the area of concern and carefully cleaning it. Soft tissue grows much faster than bone and can obstruct bone re-growth. A membrane is therefore placed between the soft tissue and the bone to allow each to heal at its own rate.
Ridge Preservation
Having teeth extracted can cause the bone and soft tissue to collapse. This has not normally been thought f as a problem by dentists practising routine dentistry, but it causes problems if you are thinking of having dental implants to replace the missing tooth.
To overcome these problems we recommend that ridge preservation is done at the same time as the old tooth is extracted. In addition to extracting the tooth the dentist opens a flap of gum exposing the surrounding bone. The empty tooth sockets are then filled with synthetic bone substitute material. A collagen membrane is then placed over the bone to separate it from the gum and further promote bone growth. The flap is then close with sutures.
Soft Tissue Grafting
Receding Gums
Receding gums are certainly detrimental to an attractive smile. They can be caused by a number of factors including periodontal disease and excessive brushing. The roots of your teeth can become exposed, making them seem unnaturally long. It can also lead to a sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. With gum grafts, We can correct this problem, improve your gum line and prevent the ongoing recession that left unaddressed could lead to bone loss.
Periodontal plastic surgery we cover the area of exposed tooth root surface with grafted skin usually taken from the roof of your mouth. This is very effective in improving the appearance of your gums and teeth and will prevent further root exposure over time. Gum grafting will also help decreased sensitivity and the likelihood of root decay.
