Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) is an advanced dental procedure designed to rebuild and regenerate bone in areas where it has been lost or damaged. When bone loss occurs due to injury, infection, or the absence of teeth, it can impact both the function and appearance of your smile. GBR helps restore the natural shape and strength of your jawbone, creating a solid foundation for dental implants and improving overall oral health.
Oral Facial Surgery of Delaware is your local oral surgical resource for rebuilding your smile with the latest treatments and techniques. We offer GBR as a treatment option to maintain your oral health over the long term, preventing complications like tooth migration, bite problems, and further tooth loss.
What is Guided Bone Regeneration?
Guided Bone Regeneration is a technique that uses a combination of bone grafts and membranes to stimulate new bone growth in areas with insufficient bone volume. The procedure uses a special membrane to guide the regeneration process by preventing unwanted tissue from entering the graft site. This allows the bone graft to heal and form new bone, which eventually integrates with the surrounding bone.
The materials used in GBR typically consist of:
Bone Graft Material: Bone grafts are used to fill the space where bone has been lost. This graft can come from the patient’s own body (autograft), a donor (allograft), or synthetic sources (xenograft or alloplastic materials). These materials encourage the growth of new bone in the treated area.
Membranes: Special membranes are placed over the graft to create a barrier that protects the bone from surrounding tissues, such as gum tissue. These membranes prevent soft tissue from interfering with bone regeneration, allowing for the controlled growth of new bone.
The goal of GBR is to encourage the body’s natural healing process, using these materials to rebuild bone in areas where it’s been lost or damaged. Over time, the body integrates the grafted material into the natural bone, allowing it to fully heal and become stable enough to support dental implants.
Why Would a Patient Need Guided Bone Regeneration?
There are several reasons why a patient may need GBR. Bone loss in the jaw can occur due to a variety of factors, including:
- Tooth Loss: When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the underlying bone begins to shrink over time. This is particularly common when teeth have been missing for a long period, leading to a significant reduction in bone volume.
- Periodontal Disease: Gum disease can damage the bone surrounding your teeth, causing it to deteriorate. In severe cases, the bone loss can make it difficult to restore teeth with implants or bridges.
- Injury or Trauma: Accidents or trauma to the face and jaw can result in bone fractures or significant bone loss. GBR is often used to repair damage and restore bone in the affected area.
- Failed Dental Implants: In some cases, dental implants may fail due to insufficient bone to support them. GBR can be used to regenerate the bone, allowing for successful reimplantation.
- Congenital Defects: Some patients are born with insufficient bone or underdeveloped jaw structures. GBR helps to rebuild the bone and support future dental treatments, including implants.
GBR is often performed as a preparatory procedure for dental implants. Without enough healthy bone, dental implants may fail or become unstable. GBR restores bone to provide the necessary foundation for successful implant placement.