What is periodontal regeneration?
Periodontitis destroys the bone, ligament and gum attachment that hold a tooth in place. Standard treatment, such as scaling and root planing, stops the infection but generally allows the tissues to heal at a lower level. Regeneration goes a step further: it tries to encourage the body to regrow some of the lost structures.
Several techniques may be combined:
- Bone grafting: graft material is placed in the defect to act as a scaffold for new bone.
- Guided tissue regeneration (GTR): a thin barrier membrane is placed over the graft so slower-growing bone and ligament cells can fill the space before faster-growing gum tissue moves in.
- Gum grafting: tissue is added where gums have receded, to cover exposed roots and thicken thin gums.
This page focuses on regenerating support around natural teeth. Rebuilding bone before placing an implant is a related but separate procedure, explained under bone grafting for implants.
Who is a good candidate?
Regeneration works most reliably in particular situations, and part of our role is to tell you honestly whether yours is one of them. Favourable conditions include:
- A narrow, deep bone defect with walls of bone around it (an "angular" or "vertical" defect)
- Bone loss between the roots of some molars, in early stages
- Localized gum recession exposing a root
- Gum infection already under control after initial treatment
- A non-smoker, or someone willing to stop, with good daily plaque control
When an alternative may be more suitable
Wide, horizontal bone loss across many teeth usually responds poorly to regeneration. Very loose teeth with little remaining bone, uncontrolled diabetes, and heavy smoking also reduce the likelihood of success. In these cases, ongoing periodontal maintenance may be the more sensible plan, or a tooth may need to be replaced. We explain the reasons so we can decide together.
The regeneration process at E&D Dental
- Initial gum therapy. Infection is first controlled with deep cleaning and improved home care, then the gums are re-evaluated.
- 3D assessment. A low-dose 3D CBCT scan shows the shape and depth of the bone defect, which helps us judge whether regeneration is realistic.
- Medical review and monitoring. We review chronic conditions and medications. Vital-sign monitoring is available during surgery for elderly patients and those with conditions such as high blood pressure.
- Anesthesia. The site is numbed using our 3-step painless anesthesia system: topical gel or gargle, Endo-Frost cold numbing, and computer-controlled anesthesia with electric-stimulation support.
- Surgery. As in gum flap surgery, the gum is lifted, the root and defect are thoroughly cleaned, and graft material and a membrane are placed. The gum is then stitched to cover and protect the area.
- Healing checks. Stitches are removed after one to two weeks. Because bone matures slowly, X-ray checks follow over several months.
Recovery and aftercare
- Expect swelling and tenderness for several days; a cold pack on the first day can help
- Avoid chewing on the treated area and do not pull at the lip to look at the stitches
- Do not brush the surgical site until we advise; use the prescribed rinse instead
- Avoid smoking completely during healing, as it seriously impairs regeneration
- Take all medication as directed and attend every follow-up visit
Where suitable, our TMJ physical therapy device, designed to reduce pain and inflammation and support tissue recovery, may be used after the procedure. Long-term results depend heavily on keeping plaque under control with regular maintenance cleanings.
Risks and limitations
The amount of tissue that regrows varies from person to person and cannot be predicted precisely. Possible complications include swelling, infection, membrane exposure, and gum recession at the site. Regeneration can improve support around a tooth but does not usually return it to its original condition, and without good maintenance, gum disease can recur.
Why patients in Sanbon and Gunpo choose E&D Dental for regeneration
- CBCT-based case selection, so surgery is offered where it has a reasonable chance of helping
- A preference for keeping natural teeth whenever it is realistic
- Experience with patients who have chronic conditions, supported by vital-sign monitoring
- Comfort-focused three-stage anesthesia
- Gum care, implants and restorative treatment coordinated in one clinic near Sanbon Station
International residents can ask for help with English communication when booking. Contact E&D Dental to find out whether gum and bone regeneration is an option for you.