What is guided tissue regeneration?
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a surgical procedure utilized by dentists to promote the new growth of bone in areas of the jaw which have been damaged by gum disease. It is also known as guided bone regeneration, and it is classically used to stabilize endangered teeth or to prepare an area of the jaw for dental implants. The surgery is invasive, and it is important to seek out a dental surgeon who has experience with the procedure and a good track record with patients. Over the course of gum disease, small pockets can develop in the bones of the jaw as the jaw is eaten away by disease. These pockets can promote the spread of infection, and they also destabilize teeth. Once gum disease is under control, a dentist may recommend addressing these pockets with guided tissue regeneration, whether the goal is to save existing teeth or to prepare the jaw for dental implants to replace teeth which are going to be extracted, or have already been extracted. In the surgery, a dentist exposes
