Advanced Bone and Gum Tissue Regeneration in Peters Township
Advances in bone tissue engineering have improved our abilities to regenerate bone and further improved healing times. At Valley
Brook Dental Dr. Gurecka uses an assortment of bone grafting materials to fit the condition of the surgery site. These range from inorganic (synthetic) bone substitutes to cadaver bone from tissue banks. He also uses a state of the art centrifuge system to prepare Plasma Rich Fibrin (PRF) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) from a small sample of the patient's own blood. The PRP is combined with bone graft material prior to placement to use the patient's own stem cells to ensure rapid replacement by the body in forming new bone. The PRF is used to create Bone Regeneration Membranes to cover the bone graft and release natural growth factors to promote healing. Both of these products have been used extensively in Europe and are now available in the United States. In addition, there are a number of other synthetic protein products produced by recombinant DNA technology like EMDOGAIN that can be used to enhance soft tissue healing and improve implant success rates.
There are many regenerative dental procedures available to restore health to the gums, bone and teeth. The following are the most commonly used regenerative procedures:
Bone Regeneration
Dental implants and other restorative procedures depend on the jawbone being sufficiently strong and thick. When periodontal disease has taken hold, the jawbone may have become too thin to successfully support an implant. Natural bone regeneration (or bone grafting) is one of the best ways to promote growth and thicken the jawbone.
Initially, bone grafting material is obtained from elsewhere on the body or from a bone bank. The gums are gently pulled back, and an opening is made in the jawbone where the grafting material will be packed in tightly. A membrane is used to maintain the shape of the new bone, and tissue stimulating proteins and a platelet-rich growth factor may be applied to promote faster healing. The surgical site will be sutured and packed with protective material. The bone will naturally regenerate and become strong enough to eventually support an implant.
Gum Tissue Regeneration
Gum tissue regeneration is usually performed by way of gum grafting. When gum tissue has been lost as a result of periodontal disease, the smile may appear discolored, toothy or unpleasant. A gum graft aims to symmetrically contour the gum line, cover any exposed tooth roots and restore health to the gums. Initially, a small strip of tissue will be removed from the roof of the mouth and placed in the middle of a split-thickness incision at the recipient site. The surgical site will be covered with a protective membrane which promotes tissue regeneration, covered in platelet-rich growth factor and tissue stimulating proteins, and then sutured closed. The soft tissue surrounding the teeth will naturally regenerate, producing a healthy, smile.
If you have any questions about regenerative procedures or periodontal disease, please ask Dr. Gurecka.