At West Calgary Periodontics, we have many options to help with either soft or hard tissue regeneration. This includes services such as Gum Grafting & Root Coverage as well as Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts. All of these services work to restore the form and function of your gums and teeth so you can feel great about your smile again.
About Soft & Hard Tissue Regeneration
Gingival (Gum) Grafting & Root Coverage
Gum grafting is an in-office procedure of adding gum tissue to teeth with the recession, to re-build loss tissue, and protect the affected area from further breakdown. A recession occurs for various reasons but is generally related to previous trauma or infection in the affected area. Alignment of the affected tooth (or dental implant), an abnormal bite, patient habits, current or previous orthodontic treatment, and genetics can contribute to the development and/or progression of recession. Approximately 80% of areas with recession exhibit worsening over time.
The procedure usually takes 1-2 hours to complete, depending on the type and amount of grafting you require.
The gum grafting procedure can be completed under sedation, to help reduce your anxiety.
Bone Grafting (Socket Graft)
Bone grafting is an in-office procedure of adding bone substitute to sites with insufficient bone volume, to allow for future placement of dental implants. Insufficient bone volume occurs as a result of natural processes that occur after tooth removal. The greatest amount of bone-loss occurs within the first 3 months, and injury and infection of the affected area further accelerate bone-loss.
The procedure usually takes 1-2 hours to completed, depending on the type and amount of grafting you require.
The bone grafting procedure can be completed under sedation, to help reduce your anxiety.
There are several different kinds of dental bone grafts. These are the most common:
- Autogenous bone graft – In this type of graft, the bone is removed from elsewhere in the body and implanted in the mouth. Common donor sites for bone grafting include the iliac section of the pelvis, the chin and the posterior third molar areas of the jaw. If large amounts of bone need to be harvested, the hip or the shin bone (tibia) are generally used.
- Allograft – Synthetic bone (man-made) can be created in the laboratory and used in the bone grafting procedure. Bone can also be obtained from a bone bank (cadaver bone).
- Xenograft – This is the implantation of bovine (cow) bone. A xenograft is perfectly safe and has been used successfully for many years. Ample bone can be obtained and no secondary donor site is necessary.
Sinus Lift
Also referred to as a ‘Sinus Augmentation’, a ‘Sinus Lift’ involves lifting up the sinuses to make room for bone tissues that will be developed through bone grafting. This bone grafting is used to add width and height to the jawbone in order to make it suitable for receiving a Dental Implant. It can also help change the position of the sinuses in cases when it restricts the insertion of the Dental Implant. Some patients have a lack of room available for the Dental Implant as the sinus cavity lies too close to the jaw bone.
The key to a successful Sinus Lift procedure is the quantity and the quality of the jawbone to which the Dental Implant will be attached. If your West Calgary Periodontist notices that bone loss has occurred either due to injury or periodontal disease, a Sinus Augmentation can be performed to raise the sinus floor and associated area for the formation of new bone.
A Sinus Lift is one of the most common bone grafting procedures performed for those patients who have experienced bone loss, especially in the upper jaw. By growing more bone on the floor of the maxillary sinus, this will strengthen the bone in this location. This will then allow Dental Implants to be placed into the new bone growth.
Do you have questions about Soft & Hard Tissue Regeneration?
Please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about Soft & Hard Tissue Regeneration!
