Cosmetic & Reconstructive Periodontics & Implant Surgery
Periodontics and Implant Surgery
Tempe, AZ
480.820.4342
Years ago, eliminating the gum pockets by trimming away infected gum tissue and re-contouring the uneven bone tissue was common practice. Although this is still an effective way of treating gum disease, new and more sophisticated procedures are used routinely today.
Guided Tissue Regeneration “regenerates” the previously lost bone and gum tissue.
The bone and gum tissue are supposed to fit tightly around your teeth, the way a turtleneck fits snugly around your neck. In periodontal disease this firm connection is destroyed and pockets form around your teeth. Over time, these pockets become deeper and create more room for the periodontal bacterial plaque under the gum tissue, in the depths of the pockets. This results in further bone and tissue loss around the teeth, eventually leading to tooth loss. Deep periodontal pockets cannot adequately be cleaned with daily at-home care.
This bone grafting procedure is necessary when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed. This procedure can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue.
During this procedure the gum tissue is folded back from the teeth and surrounding bone. Infected gum tissue (granulation tissue) is removed. The diseased root surfaces are cleaned and curetted (scraped) to remove deposits of calculus, bacteria and toxins. Bony defects are filled in with bone grafts and covered with a membrane or barrier. The gums are then sutured back in place.
Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating bone and tissue helps to reduce pocket depth and repair damage by the progression of periodontal disease. In conjunction with daily home care and an individually designed professional maintenance program, you can significantly increase the changes of keeping your natural teeth and maintaining a healthy smile.
MARK C. WARING, D.D.S.
COSMETIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE PERIODONTICS & IMPLANT SURGERY - TEMPE, AZ