When gum disease damages the bone supporting your teeth, it's difficult for bone to regrow naturally because soft tissue tends to fill the space first. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) uses a special membrane barrier to "guide" your body's healing process and allow bone to regenerate in areas where it's been lost.
During the procedure, we place the membrane between the gum tissue and the bone defect. This barrier acts like a shield, preventing soft tissue from filling in the space while giving bone cells a chance to grow and repopulate the area. Over several months, new bone forms beneath the membrane, which is eventually absorbed by your body as the bone heals.
GTR works best in combination with pocket reduction surgery or other gum treatments. It's particularly effective for certain types of bone loss and can help you keep more of your natural teeth by regenerating support around them. Your commitment to excellent oral hygiene after the procedure is crucial to the success of the new bone.