Guided Tissue Regeneration

Conventional treatment of destructive periodontal (gum) disease arrests the disease
but does not usually regain the bone support or connective tissue lost in the disease
process. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a surgical procedure that specifically
aims to regenerate the periodontal tissues when the disease is advanced and could
overcome some of the limitations of conventional therapy.

Guided tissue regeneration is a surgical procedure that uses a barrier membrane, which is
placed under the gum and over the remaining bone. The purpose of the procedure is to
enhance and allow for the regeneration of new bone in an area where teeth are being
extracted or have already been removed.

This surgical procedure is usually done to increase the bony support in an area where a
dental implant is about to be placed. The surgery results in an improvement in the shape
and contour of the area.