Services > Periodontal Therapy > Bone or Gingival Augmentation
Periodontal Therapy

Bone & Gingival (Gum) Augmentation

Gum Treatment in Manhattan, New York

Surgical augmentation treatments, along with non-surgical treatments, are performed for the patient at the later stages of periodontal disease. These include:

Bone Augmentation Gum Treatment
Healthy bone Following Gum Treatment
Bone defect with membrane surgically placed under the gum
Healthy bone months later, membrane is removed
Ridge Augmentation
This surgical procedure uses a barrier membrane and or bone graft replacement material placed under the gum and over the remaining bone support (ridge or jaw bone) to enhance regeneration of new bone in an area where teeth are being extracted or have already been removed. The graft material may be from the patient's own body (autogenous bone) or an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute. This is done to prevent the collapse of the surrounding bone into the extraction socket after the removal of a tooth; if this is not done, the ridge becomes narrow and sharp and not conducive to the placement of an implant or for a comfortable-fitting denture.

Guided Tissue Regeneration
This procedure is done in combination with a surgical flap operation where gum growth into a defect is barriered off to allow slower growing bone, cementum and ligament cells to populate a bony defect.

Gum Treatment in Manhattan
Missing Bone
Healthy Gum Treatment

Soft Tissue Grafts
Manhattan Patient Before Gum Treatment
After Gum Treatment
Before Graft
After Graft

Soft tissue grafts are used to increase gum tissue thickness and cover exposed roots. Gum tissue from your palate is used to augment tissue thickness or cover the exposed root if possible. In cases of gum recession a graft is usually taken from the palate and transplanted onto the receding area to reinforce the thin gum and to inhibit further gum recession. A soft tissue graft will help to inhibit further recession and cover exposed roots. This may reduce tooth sensitivity and improve the esthetics of your smile.

Bone Grafts
Tiny fragments of the patient's bone, synthetic bone or bone obtained from a bone bank are used to fill a bony defect around the teeth. These grafts act as a scaffold on or around which a patient's own bone is conducted or induced to grow.

Periodontal Regenerative Procedures
A regenerative procedure may be recommended when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed. These procedures can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue. During this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing bacteria. Membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue.
There are many options to enhance support for your teeth and to restore your bone to a healthy level.

The benefits of this procedure include eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating bone and tissue helping to reduce pocket depth and repair damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease. With a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care, you'll increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth – and decrease the chances of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.

Bone Regeneration
Gum Treatment X-Rays
Healthy Gum X-Ray
Before Regeneration
After Regeneration
The ability to regenerate bone around teeth and on edentulous jaw ridges in association with implant reconstruction is called "Guided Bone Regeneration". 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 after several weeks of healing have passed. Membranes used to restore bony ridges in association with implant therapy are typically non-absorbable, and must be removed at a later date.

Laser Surgery may also be an option.
Copyright © 2008 Dr. Michael Iott