Guided Bone and 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 used routinely today. One of these advancements is guided bone regeneration, also referred to as guided tissue regeneration. This procedure is used to stabilize endangered teeth or to prepare the jaw for dental implants.

As periodontal disease progresses, pockets or craters of degenerated bone develop in the jaw. These pockets can promote the growth of bacteria and the spread of infection. To address these pockets, Drs. Cacchillo, Daniel & Stanger may recommend tissue regeneration. During this surgical procedure, the pockets are cleaned thoroughly, a bone graft material (e.g. calcified freeze-dried donor bone or flowable enamel bone matrix material) and a membrane is placed between the soft tissue and the pocket in the bone. Most of the membranes used by Drs. Cacchillo, Daniel & Stanger are bio-absorbable and do not need removed at a later time.  The membrane covers the pocket so that fast-growing soft tissue is blocked, and slower-growing bone can begin to grow, or “regenerate” itself.  This procedure can replace some of the bone that has been lost in your mouth, increasing the thickness and long term stability of your teeth and bone.  We will always try to perform regenerative procedures to enhance longevity of your teeth, but treatment options depend on the type and severity of the bone loss present. 

Drs. Cacchillo, Daniel & Stanger will select the best regenerative procedure for your treatment needs.