Regenerative Procedures

Chicago Area

Gum disease is a serious, progressive, oral health condition. When it starts, however, you may never even notice it. Common symptoms of the early stages of gum disease—red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush and floss—are often thought to be the result of brushing too hard, and therefore go ignored. As gum disease progresses, it only becomes worse. Eventually, it can lead to gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. At Cameo Dental Specialists, we can help to restore the health of your mouth with regenerative procedures.

SCALING AND ROOT PLANING

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums. Scaling involves the use of a specialized scaling tool to remove plaque (a sticky substance that forms on the surfaces of your teeth), tartar (hardened plaque), bacteria, and other debris from the surfaces of your teeth. Root planing is a procedure that smoothes the surfaces of the roots of your teeth, removing plaque, bacteria, and toxins. With a smooth surface, it becomes more difficult for new bacteria to adhere. The procedure is finished with an antibacterial wash under the gum line to kill any remaining bacteria.

POCKET REDUCTION SURGERY

When your gums swell, they pull away from your teeth, creating pockets. Bacteria fall into these pockets and continue attacking the tissue (as well as your periodontal ligaments and jawbone). The more your gums swell, the deeper the pockets grow. If you go too long without treatment, your periodontal pockets may be too deep for us to effectively clean. A pocket reduction surgery is used to eliminate buildup in these pockets so that your gums can heal. After a local anesthetic, we make incisions in your gums, exposing your roots and your jawbone. After we clean the necessary areas, we then stitch your gums snugly against your teeth.

GUM TISSUE REGENERATION

Gum recession can often happen as a result of gum disease. Recession can lead to tooth sensitivity, and increased risk for infections and your teeth appear longer (which can affect the quality of your smile). If your gums have receded to the point of exposing the roots of your teeth, you can benefit from gum tissue regeneration (gum grafting). With this procedure, we take soft tissue from elsewhere in your mouth (usually from the roof of your mouth) and suture over the areas of recession. As the tissues grow together, they form a tight seal around your teeth and restore a more natural, even gum line.

BONE REGENERATION

Gum disease can also lead to bone loss in your jaw as bacteria attacks your jawbone. Your teeth can even fall out, which causes further bone loss. If you have lost teeth, dental implants can be used to replace them. However, your jawbone needs to have sufficient density for the implants to fuse successfully. Bone regeneration (bone grafting) can restore the strength and health of your jawbone. We take bone mass from elsewhere in your body (or use a synthetic bone substitute) and place it in the areas of weakness. Once you have healed, then we can move forward with implants.

Regular brushing and flossing, along with regular dental cleanings and exams, is essential for maintaining your oral health. If you do develop gum disease, taking action immediately is key to preventing serious consequences. For more information on regenerative procedures, call Cameo Dental Specialists today at (630) 547-3373.