Periodontal or gum disease is a serious infection that destroys gums and can damage the jawbone. The overall health of your gums, jawbone, and teeth depends on your periodontal care and upkeep. Healthy gums are a reflection of a healthy mouth. They amplify the appearance of beautiful teeth, but they can also show signs of a deeper problem. If gums are red and swollen, it may mean that there is a bigger problem on the bone-level. If the bone breaks down, it loses the strength to hold teeth in place, affecting the ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently.
There are four periodontal tissues that may be affected by periodontal disease: alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, cementum, or gingiva. The majority of periodontal issues are caused by plaque-induced inflammatory lesions, which are either classified in two groups: gingivitis or periodontitis.
Caused by dental plaque and poor oral hygiene, gingivitis precedes periodontitis but is treatable. A sticky film that coats teeth and contains bacteria, plaque is composed primarily of food particles which get caught below the gum line, even after brushing. The toxins that are produced by the bacteria in plaque leave gums irritated, inflamed, red, and susceptible to bleeding. Prolonged irritation can lead to the gums separating from teeth, opening pockets that trap more bacteria and cause more serious irritation. If proper steps arent taken to reverse the effects of plaque buildup, the plaque may turn to tartar, a calcified deposit that contributes to tooth decay above or below the gum line.
Because plaque is odorless and colorless, it can be hard to detect, Similarly, periodontal disease is often painless and symptomless, and 4 out of 5 patients with the disease are unaware they have it. Visiting your dentist regularly and maintaining proper oral hygiene are important steps to reducing your risk and keeping your mouth, teeth, gums, and jawbone healthy.
Over time, the jawbone that once held missing teeth is reabsorbed, leaving sparse suitable bone to be used for dental implants. Patients in this situation have historically not been eligible for placement of dental implants. Today however, we have the ability to grow bone, not only giving us the opportunity to place properly-sized implants where needed, but also restore previous functionality and appearance.
Autogenous bone grafts (also known as autografts) are made from bone taken from somewhere else in your own body, typically the chin, jaw, lower leg bone, hip, or the skull. A benefit of autogenous bone grafts is that the bone used for the graft is live, meaning it contains living cellular elements that encourage and enable bone growth.
Allogeneic bone (or allograft) is bone harvested from a cadaver and processed using a freeze-dry method to extract water. Unlike autogenous bone, allogenic bone cannot produce new bone on its own, instead serving as a model for existing bone from the surrounding bony walls to grow and fill the void.
Xenogenic bone is harvested from the non-living bone of another species. The bone, usually from a cow, is processed at very high temperatures to avoid the potential for rejection and contamination when it hits the immune system. Like allogeneic grafts, xenogenic grafts serve as scaffolding for bone from the surrounding area to grow and fill the void.
Allogeneic and xenogeneic bone grafting procedures are advantageous in that they only require one procedure. However, because these options lack the ability to form bone on their own, regeneration is longer and less predictable than with autografts.
Synthetic materials also only require one procedure, reducing risk and pain. Dr. Rezvan will evaluate the risks and benefits of each bone grafting option to determine which type of bone graft material is right for you.