Bone/Gum Loss Treatment

Reconstructive Surgery for Bone and/or Gum Loss

When periodontal disease is more advanced, it can result in damaged gum tissue and/or bone loss, which then can lead to tooth loss. However, there are surgical solutions that can be used to restore the tissue and/or the bone before tooth loss occurs.

These procedures have become more potent and predictable in the last decade and are sure to continue improving in the future with advances in biotechnology.

Osseous Surgery (or Resective Surgery)

This technique consists of trimming away infected gum tissue and re-contouring the uneven bone and tissue while removing bacterial toxins from root surfaces. Small access incisions along the necks of the teeth are made under a local anesthetic, with sutures and a surgical dressing typically required. Although this is still an effective way of treating gum disease, new and more sophisticated procedures are more routinely used today.

Guided Tissue/Bone Regeneration (Reconstructive Dental Surgery)

This surgical procedure “regenerates” the previously lost gum and bone tissue. Other regenerative procedures involve the use of bioactive gels,  Gem-21®, Emdogain™, PRGF (Plasma Rich in Growth Factors), to stimulate new bone formation as well as bone grafting materials and bio-absorbable membranes.

Gum/Gingival Grafts (Periodontal Plastic Surgery)

The gingiva is the gum area around the root of the tooth. When a major recession of this gum area occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacteria and trauma. Gum recession often results in root sensitivity to hot and cold foods, as well as an unsightly appearance to the gum and tooth. Significant gum recession can expose the root surface, which is softer than tooth enamel, leading to root caries and root gouging.

A gingival graft is designed to solve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth (palate) or materials such as acellular dermal matrix or Mucograft® to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of the root to significantly improve the esthetic outcome.

In certain cases, we can avoid using the palate as a donor site by using a bioactive gel (Gem-21® Emdogain™) in conjunction with a bone graft material and a bioabsorbable membrane to achieve the same goal of root coverage.

The gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable, healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth.