Your teeth are at risk because of periodontal disease. Plaque and tartar on your teeth resulting from insufficient brushing and flossing can build up over time and lead to the loss of the supporting tissue around some of your teeth.
When plaque builds up on a tooth bacteria in the plaque attack the bone around the tooth as well as the fibers that connect the tooth to the bone. As the fibers and bone are destroyed a pocket or space forms between the gum and the tooth. Without proper hygiene the process may continue sometimes without symptoms until the tooth is endangered.
Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is a procedure that enables bone and tissue to re-grow around an endangered tooth or if the tooth is lost to increase the amount of bone for implant placement.
Prior to GTR therapy your dental professional will recommend an appropriate oral hygiene program. It is essential that you follow this program otherwise GTR therapy has less chance of success and may be ruled out as a treatment option.
During GTR therapy (for teeth) the soft (gum) tissue is surgically separated from the endangered tooth and the tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned and infected tissues are removed from the area. After cleaning a small piece of material called a GTR membrane is placed against the tooth. This GTR membrane serves as a barrier that separates fast-growing soft (gum) tissue from the newly cleaned surface of the tooth root. The membrane enables slower-growing fibers and bone cells to migrate into the protected area.
Following GTR therapy your doctor will provide specific instructions for proper oral hygiene and care of the area under treatment. These may include the following:
ﾕ Your doctor may ask you to refrain from brushing or flossing the treated area for some time following the procedure so as not to disturb the GTR membrane or the tissue that covers it.
ﾕ Specific mouthwashes may be recommended to reduce plaque buildup.
ﾕ Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to reduce the possibility of a bacterial infection in the surgical area.
It is important to keep in mind that proper hygiene is essential to prevent a serious recurrence of periodontal disease.
