Gum disease!
It's become the nemesis of the American public.
According to the
American Dental SocietyOpens in the Mouth Healthy website, 1/2 of American adults aged 30 years or older have some form of gum disease.
It's because of this dental epidemic that guided tissue regeneration has become so vital to protecting your oral health!
What is guided tissue regeneration? Who needs it?
Here's what you need to know to protect your family's smile and your own.
What does guided tissue regeneration do?
Gum disease is caused when bacteria build up on the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.
These bacteria can get between the gum tissue and tooth enamel, causing the gum tissue to shrink and pull away from your teeth. This process leaves large tissue pockets, allowing for further bacterial infection.
If gum disease is left untreated, it will progress into
periodontal disease and to the degeneration of bone tissue (which anchors your teeth in place).
The purpose of guided tissue regeneration is to remove the bacterial infection and stimulate the regrowth of healthy bone and gum tissue.
How does it work?
The first step for our
San Francisco periodontists, Dr. Kirk Pasquinelli and Dr. Nicole Olivares, is to clean out the harmful bacteria pockets in the degraded bone.
Now comes the "guided" part.
Normally, the fast-growing gum tissue would fill in where the missing bone tissue once was. But, gum tissue can't support your teeth the way bone does.
It's essential to allow the bone to regenerate, which it does, but at a much slower rate than gum tissue.
So:
A special membrane is placed between the hard and soft tissues, guiding the gum tissue away from filling the pocket and letting the bone grow naturally.
This establishes a stable foundation for your tooth with adequate support from both bone and gum tissue.
Now:
You know what guided tissue regeneration is and how it works, but who needs this service?
Do you need guided tissue regeneration?
As we mentioned earlier, about 50% of the adult population has some form of gum disease.
Are you one of them?
How would you know?
That's a good question!
Many times, people aren't even aware they have gum disease (not to mention the damage it is causing to their teeth and gums)!
What are the
warning signs to look for that indicate the presence of harmful bacteria in your mouth? Here are a few to watch for:
- Bleeding gums
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Buildup of plaque or tartar on your teeth
- Pain or discomfort when chewing
- Persistent bad breath
If you have any of these symptoms, it's vital you contact our office right away.
Why?
Because gum disease will not stop on its own!
It should be
professionally treated before the underlying bone becomes too degraded to support your teeth, and you start losing them!
The good news:
Gum disease and periodontal disease are treatable. And with advanced dental treatments like guided tissue regeneration, it is possible to reverse its damaging effects.
Our experts are here to help
Dr.
Kirk Pasquinelli and Dr.
Nicole Olivares are highly-qualified periodontists with years of experience in successfully treating patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease.
Dr. Pasquinelli is an internationally renowned periodontist whose achievements include:
Dr. Olivares has extensive surgical training that includes:
If you are looking for experienced, highly-trained, and extensively educated care, look no further than the team at
SF Perio & Implants.
Would you like to make an appointment with one of our San Franciso and East Bay periodontal experts?
Just click the button below:
Or you can contact us using one of these other means:
- Call us and talk with us directly
- Email us and let us know how we can help you
