Periodontal literally means ‘around the tooth’. Periodontal disease attacks the bones that support the teeth as well as the gums. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they start destroying the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
A number of people suffering from periodontal disease are not even aware of it! This is because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.
Periodontal disease or Periodontitis is a disease where bacteria are trapped under the gums leading to inflammation and breakdown of the hard and soft tissues supporting the teeth resulting in mobile tooth and finally tooth lost with time. So, certain regenerative procedures like Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR), etc are advocated to stimulate new bone growth and improve the function of the teeth. GTR is a procedure which involve placement of a membrane barrier to create space for tissue regeneration.
Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR)
Guided tissue regeneration is a procedure where the lost bone and tissues supporting the tooth can be reverse back to an extend and improves the prognosis of the tooth as restoring even half the lost bone volume increases the livelihood of the tooth. The procedure involve proper cleaning of the tooth root surface by carefully lifting and folding back the defected area while the area is numb with local anesthetic solution.
The defected area is then grafted with bone either from patient’s own body or synthetic grafts to guide with the healing process. These bone grafts act as a scaffold into which the new bone grows. Then a thin barrier membrane is place over the bone graft and reposition the gum tissues and finally suture it back into its original position. Bone grafts, barrier membranes or tissue-stimulating proteins, etc can be place in the defects site to regenerate the bone and tissues.
GTR uses artificial resorbable or nonresorbable membrane to blocks the soft tissues from migrating into the defective site while allowing the migrating bone cells to grow instead. It also helps create the require space for the tissues and bone to heal and regenerate. Hence, create an ideal environment for healing.
Normally, a narrow and deep defect respond better to treatment than a wide and shallow defect. Moreover, successful treatments of GTR include reduction in pocket depth, reduction in bleeding score, gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) and radiographically filled bone.
The following protocols promote periodontal regeneration and improve the clinical outcomes:
- Use of various surgical techniques along with bone grafts
- Root-surface demineralisation
- Guided tissue regeneration
- Enamel matrix derivative
- Growth factors, etc
Most of the defected areas have difficulties placing dental implants due to lack of bone volume and may also compromise other dental treatments like a crown or a bridge. Hence, this procedure help in promoting bone growth in defected areas by increasing the bone volume and height for dental implant treatment.
Several studies also demonstrate the clinical improvements obtain with GTR with long-term results. Moreover, GTR help reduce pocket depth and repair the damage cause by periodontal diseases.
Along with proper oral hygiene and regular periodontal supportive therapy, GTR can increase the livelihood of the natural teeth and decrease the chances of other health issues associated with periodontal diseases.
Studies have suggested that deep scaling and root planing may be just as effective, especially when it is done at an early stage. In this procedure, built-up calculus is removed from the teeth with hand-held instruments, and the roots of the teeth are smoothed so that they do not provide a surface for plaque to build up on. Several sessions are often required, and patients may be given anaesthetic so that they feel more comfortable, since the procedure can be mildly painful.
At Dr. Rajat Sachdeva’s Dental Institute, we are committed to the highest level of periodontal excellence. Our team is friendly, courteous, and always ready to assist you in any way.