For over the past
fifteen years, dental clinicians and
researchers have developed the ability to regenerate bone around teeth and on edentulous
jaw ridges in association with implant reconstruction. This technical advancement, termed
"Guided Bone Regeneration", has allowed
millions of people to restore health to diseased teeth which would have been condemned to
extraction in the past. In other cases, this remarkable therapy has given patients who have already lost teeth a second chance to enjoy the
benefits of "permanent teeth" with the help
of dental implant reconstruction. In all cases, patients experience an enhanced quality of life as a direct result of improved health, function
and appearance. |
BIOLOGIC PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT
It is known that bone heals more slowly than the gum tissues in the
mouth. Without Guided Bone Regeneration techniques, the faster healing gum would prevent
the bone from maximizing its full healing potential following surgical procedures. The
concept of treatment is simple. A biocompatible membrane is placed between the gum and
bone which acts as a barrier. This barrier prevents downgrowth of the gum into the
underlying bone as it heals. Oftentimes, a bone graft is placed into the underlying bony
irregularities, under the membrane, to help the body grow new bone. Membranes around teeth
are typically designed to dissolve away, or resorb, after several weeks of healing have
passed. Membranes used to restore bony ridges in association with implant therapy are
typically non-resorbable, and must be removed at a later date.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS DURING TREATMENT
TREATMENT AROUND TEETH
TREATMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH IMPLANT THERAPY
RESTORATION OF THE BONY RIDGE PRIOR TO IMPLANT PLACEMENT
RESTORATION OF THE BONY RIDGE AT THE SAME
TIME AS IMPLANT PLACEMENT
This information was adapted from the Guidor USA brochure
"Information on Guided Tissue Regeneration" and the W.L. Gore and Associates,
Inc. brochure, "Regeneration of Bone: Helping The Body Heal Itself".
