Do the Gums Grow Back After a Bone Graft?
Patients with advanced gum disease (periodontitis), may have lost areas of bone that hold the teeth in place. Should this occur, their dentist may recommend a dental bone graft dallas tx to restore the bone damaged by periodontitis.
Periodontitis and Bone Loss
It is fairly well known that untreated gum disease can lead to the loss of teeth and gum tissue. Less well known is the fact that gum disease can also cause bone loss in the jaw. If proper oral hygiene is not maintained, bacteria in dental plaque invade below the gumline causing inflammation and tenderness. In the initial stage of gum disease (gingivitis), swelling and bleeding of the gums may occur.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into the most advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis. A chronic bacterial infection, periodontitis affects the gums and damages the bones supporting the teeth. As the bone breaks down from the infection, the structures that hold the teeth in place wear away until the teeth eventually fall out.
Periodontal disease is one of the more common reasons for adult tooth loss. Gum disease symptoms include:
- Bleeding or swelling gums
- Loose teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
Bone Grafts and Gum Disease
Dental bone grafts are used to help regenerate supporting jawbone material lost to gum disease. To place the graft, the periodontist first folds back the gums and removes any infected gum tissue. Rough tooth surfaces and bacteria covered calculus are also cleaned out before the bone graft is placed. Bone grafts fuse with the patient’s natural bone and stimulates the production of new bone cells around the graft. The graft can effectively repair the damage from periodontitis and increase the likelihood of the patient keeping their teeth.
Should the patient have already lost a tooth, a dental implant may be needed to restore appearances and functionality. Dental implants involve imbedding metal posts into the jawbone to replicate the tooth root, but they require ample jawbone to support them. As such, bone grafts often go in tandem with dental implants when patients have deficiencies in their jawbone.
Gum Tissue Regeneration
In addition to the bone graft, tissue-stimulating growth proteins or membranes may be used to stimulate the body’s ability to naturally regenerate tissue and bone. For example, the dentist may recommend guided tissue regeneration (GTR) along with the bone graft. In GTR, the periodontist inserts small pieces of mesh between the gums and bone after placing the bone graft. The mesh acts as a partition preventing the gums from growing in areas that new bone should. Novel material options, growth factors, barrier membranes, and clinical techniques continue to be developed for periodontal regeneration.
Preventing Bone Loss from Periodontitis
Avoiding bone loss from gum disease is easily achieved if gum disease is avoided in the first place.
- Floss between the teeth daily
- Brush the teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush; pay attention to the gumlines and ensure brushing is not overly aggressive
- Regular checkups with the dentist
- Maintain healthy diet of nutrient rich foods