Regenerating Bone to Build Confident, Fully Functioning Smiles
Sometimes, gum disease and infection cause extensive bone loss that cannot be corrected with standard gum surgery. Fortunately, modern periodontal therapy provides effective ways to rebuild bone and restore a healthy foundation for your natural teeth.
At Dr. Alger’s dental implant center, we use dental bone regeneration techniques to strengthen the jaw bone, preserve existing teeth, and prepare for possible dental implant placement in the future.
What Is Bone Regeneration?
Bone regeneration is a specialized surgical procedure that helps rebuild bone tissue that has been lost due to gum disease, injury, or long-term tooth loss. When bone density decreases, it can compromise the stability of nearby teeth or make implant placement impossible.
Through advanced guided bone regeneration (GBR) techniques, Dr. Alger can encourage new bone growth in areas where bone is thin or damaged. These procedures support long-term oral health, a strong foundation for your smile, and a more balanced facial appearance.
How Does Dental Bone Regeneration Work?
The bone regeneration procedure involves placing bone graft material into areas of bone loss or damage. This graft material can be sourced from various donor sources, including tissue banks, synthetic materials, or even the patient’s own body, depending on the specific case.
Once placed, the graft acts as a scaffold that encourages the body to grow new bone tissue. To prevent the downgrowth of the gum and promote better results, Dr. Alger may use a biocompatible membrane or barrier membrane over the treated site. This membrane separates the gum tissue from the underlying bone, allowing controlled, predictable healing.
In many cases, a technique known as guided tissue regeneration (also referred to as the GBR technique) is used in combination with growth factors to accelerate healing. These proteins stimulate new bone formation, enhancing the overall healing process and facilitating your body’s creation of healthy bone structure over time.
Why Is Dr. Alger So Excited About Bone Regeneration?
This truly is one of the most exciting advancements in modern dentistry. Years ago, patients with significant bone loss often had few options beyond tooth extraction or removable prosthetics. Today, dental bone grafting and guided bone regeneration make it possible to save teeth, rebuild bone, and restore natural function.
Dr. Alger’s passion for this field began early. His master’s thesis at The Ohio State University focused on the regeneration of periodontally diseased roots, and he continues to teach and share his expertise with periodontal residents at OSU.
In our practice, these treatments are often the difference between keeping natural teeth and needing extractions. Patients who undergo bone grafting procedures typically notice improved periodontal health, better stability, and a renewed sense of confidence in their smiles.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Bone Regeneration?
Bone regeneration offers both health and aesthetic benefits for patients with bone loss or jawbone deterioration:
- Restores bone volume for a strong foundation to support teeth or implants
- Prevents further loss of bone and jawbone shrinkage
- Reduces the risk of future dental problems related to missing bone
- Enhances overall oral health and stability
- Improves facial appearance by maintaining bone height and structure
- Creates adequate support for dental implant placement later on
Because each case is unique, Dr. Alger will design a personalized treatment plan based on your needs, the affected area, and the type of bone material best suited for your situation.
What Are the Different Types of Bone Grafts?
There are several various options available when it comes to dental bone grafting:
- Autograft: Bone taken from your own body, often considered the gold standard for predictable new growth.
- Allograft: Bone from a tissue bank, carefully sterilized and processed for safety.
- Xenograft: Bone material from a natural donor source such as bovine tissue, which acts as a long-lasting scaffold.
- Alloplast: A synthetic material designed to mimic natural bone, ideal for patients seeking an alternative to biological grafts.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Alger may also perform ridge augmentation or sinus lift surgery to restore volume in specific areas of the mouth.
Each approach supports new bone formation while protecting surrounding structures, giving your smile the strong foundation it needs to function naturally.
Do I Qualify for Bone Regeneration?
During your consultation, Dr. Alger will evaluate your oral health, the extent of jawbone loss, and the condition of your gum tissue. Using digital imaging, he will determine whether there is enough bone to proceed or if bone grafting should be performed first.
Patients who have missing teeth, a history of gum disease, or other dental problems related to bone loss are often good candidates. For others, preliminary treatments such as periodontal therapy or soft tissue grafting may be recommended before bone regeneration.
Next Steps for Restoring Your Smile
This bone regeneration procedure can be performed on nearly any tooth in the mouth if the conditions are right. When regeneration is not possible due to severe loss of bone or bone density, dental implants may offer the next best solution.
Dr. Alger’s years of experience and commitment to advanced techniques ensure every patient receives the safest and most effective care. After your evaluation, our team will explain your treatment plan in detail so you understand each step of your healing process and what to expect for your long-term results.