Regenerative Dentistry

Technological and surgical advances are changing the face of dentistry! Many providers including the dentists at Pro Solutions Dental Group are migrating away from the destructive focus of removing teeth and bone and choosing to repair teeth by growing bone and tissue in deteriorating areas of the mouth.

When patients feel there is no choice but to extract teeth it is discouraging and disheartening because despite dental advances, there is not a replacement available that is going to function as effectively as a natural tooth. When a tooth is removed, it also leaves the individual left to contend with negative side effects that have an adverse effect on overall oral health. For these reasons, it is important to try to save natural teeth if possible.

There are only a few tooth conditions that ultimately condemn teeth for extraction and may not be salvageable. Examples of these conditions are:

  1. A fracture that runs vertically down the root under the bone (Vertical Root Fracture), resulting in the body rejecting the tooth and eating the supporting bone.
  2. Periodontal gum disease which destroys bone leaving most of the root without support.
  3. Chronic tooth infections that have destroyed surrounding supportive bone.  Severely broken tooth crowns that have left the tooth un-restorable

However, most problematic teeth can be salvaged; and for less money than what replacement options would cost, so before accepting the recommendation to extract, seek a consultation on the options that may be available to “save teeth.”

Regenerative dentistry is the term that is used to describe saving teeth through surgical techniques that grow or replace tissue and bone in areas where it has been lost around teeth. This is completed with the help of growth factors, donor tissues, and bone products.  Below are some examples of the latest advances in regenerative dentistry and what may be utilized to save your teeth.

Click on the items to learn more about each regenerative treatment:

  • Gum Tissue Regeneration: An in-office centrifuge is used to spin down blood to collect PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin). Growth factors and platelets are harvested to prevent post treatment infections, speed up tissue healing and grow bone in deficient areas.
  • Root Retention: remaining healthy roots can be used to help support and retain dentures, rather than pulling the root and replacing it with an implant.
  • “Hemi Section” or “Root Amputation” these procedures preserve healthy roots and crowns on multi-rooted teeth, and only removes the root or area that has become compromised.
  • Guided Bone Regeneration: a dental procedure that utilizes a barrier membrane to help the body grow new bone and tissue in areas where it is insufficient.
  • Connective Tissue Grafting: most commonly used to treat exposure of roots from gum recession. Connective tissue is grafted to the affected site to protect the root from cavities, decay, and sensitivity.
  • Noninvasive Microsurgery Generation: a regenerative procedure that is used for roots that are exposed because of gingival recession. It is a minimally invasive surgery that involves one incision, this allows for less pain, swelling, and a faster healing time.
  • Noninvasive Bone Regeneration: a regenerative bone augmentation procedure that only uses one incision; and allows a reduction in post-operative pain and swelling
  • Apicoectomy can be used on teeth that have been treated by “root canal” with latent infections that have trouble healing, these can often be saved by a surgical treatment. In this procedure, the infected tip of the root is removed, and bone product is placed in the area to heal the site.
  • Joint Rejuvenation for TMJ- IPRF– A platelet-rich plasma that can be used to help regenerate the temporomandibular joint, may alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of TMJD.

These are just a few examples of how teeth can be saved because of advancements in dental care. Although we have made great strides in providing tooth replacement alternatives, nothing available is equal to the function of natural teeth. That is why trying to save your own teeth is not only the most economical choice, but the most comfortable choice for you long term. Be sure to explore options, seek consultation from a trusted dentist, and don’t be quick to give natural teeth up!  We would love to be able to provide you with a consultation to discuss your tooth saving options today! Call us today to make an appointment with Drs. Jason Campbell, Rick Farnsworth and Mitchell Grimmer at 928-776-1208.