Periodontal Regeneration Dentistry Treatment
Periodontal regeneration means restoring the bone and supporting tissues adjacent to teeth with advanced bone loss. Frequently, periodontal regeneration treatment will prolong the use of the involved teeth. A periodontist or dentist will diagnose the problem by taking a careful medical and dental history.
The tissues adjacent to the teeth will be gently probed with a calibrated, ruler-like instrument. These measurements, together with a dental X-ray, will help determine the appropriate treatment for the involved teeth.
There are many regenerative techniques and methods. Bone purchased from bone banks has been used effectively as a regenerative material for over 30 years. This bone is procured from healthy individuals, is carefully processed, and has been proven safe. Treatment consists of carefully moving the gum tissue away from the involved teeth and removing tarter (calculus) deposits from the root surfaces.
The bony defect is gently filled with the bone bank material (allogenic bone) or other synthetic materials. The gums are then replaced around the neck of the teeth with small sutures. The sutures are removed within five to seven days, and gentle tooth brushing can resume.
Synthetic bone substitutes have been developed to simulate natural bone. These materials are safe, and may help support the involved teeth. Such substitutes are implanted through periodontal surgery. Recently, cow bone, which is carefully prepared, sterilized, and safe, has been used to repair defects next to teeth. This bone is porous, allowing bone from the patient to grow into the pores. New technologies have developed porcine (pig) proteins, which, when painted onto teeth, allow for natural regeneration of tooth cementum and bone. These materials have demonstrated early promising clinical results.
The use of barrier membranes to protect and isolate bony defects has been used for over 15 years. These are made from synthetic, non-dissolvable materials, dissolvable materials, or bovine collagen (cow collagen). Membranes are frequently used either with synthetic graft materials or with bone purchased from bone banks. Recently, proteins have been joined to synthetic bone.
This material enhances cell attachment to root surfaces and may provide an effective method for periodontal regeneration. In the future, proteins that stimulate bone formation and enhance formation of new root cementum will make periodontal regeneration a simple, effective method to save teeth with advanced disease.
The materials discussed above have been published in dental journals, are safe, and generally result in tooth retention with bone fill of the treated bony defects. Articles relating to periodontal regeneration can be researched from PubMed using the following key words: "periodontal," "regeneration," "allogenic bone," "synthetic bone grafting," and "barrier membranes."
By William Becker, DDS
Laser Gum Treatment of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a leading cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S. today. It can progress destructively, often unnoticed, just like undiagnosed hypertension or diabetes.
What if a magic wand or automatic treatment upgrade made a new gum disease treatment available, allowing your periodontist to provide more successful care? A treatment that would eliminate the need for periodontal surgery? What if that care could be provided comfortably and what if it was more easily affordable?
Periodontal procedures like that actually exist today. One is called the dental laser. The laser is an instrument that uses the energy provided from a focused beam of light to very selectively and gently remove delicate infected gum tissue. In the process, the laser's focused beam of light effectively seals off tiny blood vessels (so no bleeding gums!) and nerve endings while instantly stimulating healing. The bacteria causing the infection are actually vaporized!
The dental laser is extremely safe. Protective eyewear represents the chief safety precaution.
Healing is very rapid and uneventful. Secondary infection is nonexistent. There are no dressings to wear or any open wounds. The laser can be used most often with nothing more than topical anesthesia and never more than local anesthesia.
Today in dentistry, a laser is simply the source of a focused beam of light, but maybe it's really actually more of a high tech magic wand.
Ask your dentist about laser gum treatment of periodontal disease today!
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.