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Gum Surgery and Guided Tissue Regeneration
What Is Gum Surgery?
The objective of this procedure is to re-establish the seal of the gum to the tooth. When the gum is separated, bacteria and food debris can build up in this space. This material is impossible to completely remove, even with the most careful brushing and flossing techniques, since it is behind and far under the gum tissue. Therefore, our goal is to create a new seal or attachment of the gum back to the tooth. This will protect the remaining underlying bone, and if kept clean and healthy, will hopefully enable you to preserve your teeth indefinitely.
The Procedure
The gum is gently lifted away from the teeth. The damage to the underlying bone from the previous infection is then corrected by smoothing the bone to its original contour. The gum tissue is then placed at the level of the bone to re-establish its seal to the tooth and to provide protection of the bone. Stitches are usually required and a dressing is often placed around the area. You can expect some of your teeth to look and feel slightly longer and the spaces between your teeth to be somewhat larger. You will now be able to clean the entire tooth with your brush daily.
What Is Guided Tissue Regeneration?
The goal of periodontal therapy is to restore diseased tissue to a healthy state. In more advanced cases of periodontal disease, a special type of gum surgery may be required to rebuild tissue that has been destroyed. This procedure is called Guided Tissue Regeneration.
The Procedure
The biologic principle is to keep unwanted tissues away from the tooth and allow only desirable tissues to grow in their place. This allows regeneration of lost attachment fibers to occur. A special piece of material is used in this procedure as a barrier. The gums are then put back into place so that they cover the material. At this point the gums are sutured back into position. The healing process is similar to conventional periodontal surgery. Some types of barrier material resorb over time, while other types may need to be removed later.
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