Periodontal regeneration is a new approach to treating the effects of gum disease. Gum disease slowly destroys the tissue surrounding a tooth: bone, connective tissue and gum tissue. Periodontology in its early phase was primarily concerned with eliminating and controlling infections. Healthy tissue would often be surgically removed in an attempt to make it easier for a patient to clean. However, this was destructive.

          Periodontal regeneration is involved in an attempt to restore the lost supporting tissues around the teeth including new alveolar bone, new cementum, new gum tissue and a new periodontal ligament. Bone grafting can be used to fill bone defects caused by gum disease around the teeth. Barrier membranes are commonly used to assist the bone in integrating. The membranes keep fast growing gum tissue from invading into the bone space before the new bone can form.

          Various soft tissue grafts are also used with periodontal regeneration. Some of the most common are the lateral sliding, free autogenous and connective tissue grafts. These procedures are used to regenerate the gum tissues over the bone. Unfortunately, not all of the tissues in all of the cases can be regenerated but this area of Dentistry is growing rapidly with much research intensively involved with this subject. There may come a day when all of the missing tissues around periodontally involved teeth can be completely reconstructed.

          Several periodontal regeneration techniques can be combined to help reconstruct lost periodontal tissues. Dr. Padolsky, a cosmetic dentist with the Atlanta Dental Group PC, enjoys reconstructing beautiful smiles with dental restorations and when necessary, gum and bone tissue procedures. If you are interested in receiving care from or speaking with Dr. Padolsky, call 404-874-7428 for an appointment.