Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR)

The term Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR), refers to techniques that are intended to help regenerate lost periodontal structures such as bone, periodontal ligament, and connective tissue attachment which all support your teeth.

The procedure is accomplished through the use of biocompatible membranes, often in combination with bone grafts and/or tissue stimulating proteins. The membranes used in GTR are generally resorbable, meaning that they allow healing over a number of weeks and are then absorbed by the body with no need for a second surgery to remove them.

Insufficient brushing and flossing can allow plaque and tartar to build up over time, creating pockets in the gum tissue surrounding the base of your teeth and attacking the bone that supports the teeth. The insidious progression of gum disease is aided by the fact that it is usually painless and progresses without symptoms until it has become so destructive that it has badly damaged the gum tissue and threatens the loss of your teeth.

Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is a procedure used by our doctors to allow bone and tissue to re-grow around a tooth that is threatened or to increase the quantity of bone in the area of a tooth that has been lost to prepare it for the placement of an implant.

Before GTR therapy, the doctor will recommend an oral hygiene program tailored to your needs. It's important for you to follow this program faithfully to allow your GTR therapy the greatest chance of success. In cases where the recommended program of hygiene is not followed, GTR therapy may have to be ruled out for treating your gum disease.

After you have successfully followed your recommended program of oral hygiene, the doctor will perform GTR therapy. At this time, the gum tissue is separated surgically from the threatened tooth, the surface of the tooth is cleaned thoroughly, and infected tissue is removed from the area. Your doctor will then place a small piece of material known as a GTR membrane against your tooth. Gum tissue is faster growing than bone. The GTR membrane works as a barrier, separating the fast-growing gum tissue from the newly cleaned surface of the tooth root. The GTR membrane allows slower-growing tissue fibers and bone cells to migrate into the area that is protected so that the bone is able to develop and grow unimpeded.

After your GTR therapy is completed, your doctor will give you specific instructions regarding home oral hygiene and care of the area that was just treated. These recommendations may include:

• No brushing or flossing of the treated area for a period of time following the procedure so that the GTR membrane and the gum tissue covering it are not disturbed or injured.
• The use of particular mouthwashes in order to reduce plaque buildup.
• The prescription of an antibiotic to lessen the chance of bacterial infection in the area of your surgery.

Just as good oral hygiene is essential to the prevention of periodontal disease, it is of utmost importance following GTR therapy in order to avert the serious recurrence of your gum disease.