Close-up view of a periodontal procedure

Periodontics

Guided Tissue Regeneration

Rebuild the bone and tissue that periodontal disease took away.

Three clinicians during a periodontal procedure

Periodontics

Rebuild the bone and tissue lost to periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a common inflammatory condition that affects the gums and supporting bone around the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to symptoms like swollen or bleeding gums and may eventually contribute to bone loss, loose teeth, and a patient losing their teeth entirely.

Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is a technique used to support the growth of new bone and gum tissue around the teeth. During this procedure, barrier membranes are placed to help guide tissue growth and prevent unwanted cells from interfering with the healing process. GTR is often used to help rebuild jawbone tissue in preparation for dental implants, although it may also be used to repair bone loss after the removal of impacted teeth or cysts.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty-trained periodontists our specialty-trained periodontists have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about guided tissue regeneration and treatment options for gum disease, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment for a procedure, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (703) 823-2422 or our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 296-3360.

The Procedure

What to expect from your treatment.

Here's what your guided tissue regeneration treatment looks like, step by step.

The Most Common Reason for Having Guided Tissue

The most common reason for having guided tissue regeneration is due to the patient having advanced gum disease. Gum disease is an increasingly common issue that is generally preventable, provided you practice good daily oral hygiene habits and schedule regular visits to your periodontist. If left untreated, gum disease can cause a number of issues to develop, which is why it is so important to schedule regular checkups with your periodontist. These regular visits not only provide you with a professional cleaning, it also allow your periodontist to catch problems before they develop into something worse.

If You Have Not Scheduled an Exam in

If you have not scheduled an exam in some time and are concerned you might have gum disease, the following symptoms are commonly associated with the disease:

While These Are Common Symptoms and Signs That

While these are common symptoms and signs that gum disease may have developed, the only way to know for certain whether or not you have gum disease is to schedule an appointment with your dentist or periodontist.

Gums That Are Swollen And/or Red

Gums that are swollen and/or red.

Loose Teeth or Teeth That Have Shifted

Loose teeth or teeth that have shifted.

Receding Gums

Receding gums.

Recovery & Aftercare

A short recovery, a long-term result.

Following your guided tissue regeneration procedure, it is essential that you follow the aftercare instructions. It is common to experience some discomfort following the procedure, but this can typically be managed with over-the-counter medication, such as Advil or Ibuprofen. Swelling is also common and can generally be addressed through the use of ice packs and anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medication.

Once you have completed the recovery process, the most important thing you can do to prevent the need for this type of procedure in the future is to continue practicing good daily oral hygiene practices. Brush and floss twice daily and schedule regular visits to your periodontist to ensure that your teeth receive regular professional cleanings, which will reduce your risk of developing gingivitis or periodontitis. If you follow these best practices, you will enjoy a bright and healthy smile for many years to come!

Frequently Asked

Common questions about this treatment.

Do gums grow back after bone graft?

Guided tissue regeneration is specifically designed to control what grows where after a bone graft. When you graft bone in an area of prior periodontal disease, gum cells naturally migrate downward into the surgical site much faster than bone cells can. That crowds out the bone regeneration you were trying to encourage. GTR solves this by placing a resorbable barrier membrane over the graft, which physically blocks the gum tissue from taking over the space while the underlying bone rebuilds beneath it. Once healed, the gum tissue seals over the reformed ridge at the correct level. Without the membrane, the same graft is far less predictable.

Can Receding Gums Grow Back?

Gum tissue that has receded doesn't regenerate on its own, but guided tissue regeneration can help stabilize the site and in some cases regain lost attachment level. The technique uses a barrier membrane to direct the body's healing so periodontal ligament and bone cells can repopulate a defect around the tooth root, rebuilding the attachment that was destroyed by gum disease. GTR is most predictable for specific defect shapes — typically vertical or narrow three-walled defects around a single tooth — rather than broad horizontal recession, which usually calls for a soft-tissue graft or the Pinhole Surgical Technique. Your periodontist will image and probe the site to identify which approach fits your defect.

Do Gums Grow Back After LANAP?

LANAP and guided tissue regeneration work on the same problem — rebuilding periodontal attachment lost to gum disease — but through different mechanisms. LANAP uses a laser wavelength that selectively removes diseased tissue while stimulating the body's regenerative response, and it doesn't require a barrier membrane. GTR uses open-flap surgery, bone graft material, and a physical membrane to compartmentalize healing. Neither procedure grows new gum tissue at the crown of the tooth to cover an exposed root; both aim to restore the attachment apparatus at and below the gumline. When surface coverage of a receded area is the goal, a soft-tissue graft or Pinhole is the right procedure, sometimes staged after LANAP or GTR.

Cost & Payment

Money shouldn't stand between you and the care you deserve.

The cost of guided tissue regeneration will depend on a variety of factors, including your dental insurance plan, whether or not additional procedures are required, the severity of your case, and what type of dental sedation (if any) was used.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that money is not a deterrent to our patients receiving the optimal dental health care they deserve. For this reason, we offer a range of payment options regardless of what type of treatment you are having, which our staff will be happy to explain and assist with. Our office insurance coordinators work with other insurance companies to assist patients with their claims.

For your convenience, Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry accepts cash, check, debit, and credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). Our clinic also accepts GreenSky Patient Solutions, a financing option for procedures and treatments not typically covered by insurance or when insurance does not cover the entire cost. We are happy to provide an application in our office. You can find out more information about this service at https://www.greensky.com/patient-faq/.

For your convenience, we accept: