Receding gums are repairable with a gel that uses platelets to restore gum tissue over teeth.
Traditional gum grafting surgery requires surgically excising tissue from the roof of the mouth (the palate) to replace the gum tissue lost around the teeth. Unfortunately, removing tissue from the roof of the mouth extends recovery time and is a major source of patients’ discomfort or pain. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, periodontal disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults aged 35 and older. Periodontal disease includes gum recession, also called gingival recession, which can result in tooth root decay and tooth loss.The new tissue regeneration application from Tufts uses platelet concentrate gel applied to a collagen membrane as the graft instead of using tissue from the roof of the mouth. The graft is soaked in the patient’s platelets, using blood drawn in the same visit. Placed over the receding tooth root, the graft is then surgically secured.In order to examine three-year efficacy of the treatment, measurements were taken from six patients in the gum recession area at baseline, 6, and 36 months after surgery. At six months, 24 out of 37 teeth from the six patients had complete root coverage (65 percent). At 36 months, 21 out of 37 teeth from the six patients had complete root coverage (57 percent). The authors said that the recession over three years was minimal and that the results are comparable to traditional gum grafting surgery.
We need methods for engineering tissue to get it to grow where we want and to become the types of tissue we need for repair. Success stories like the one above demonstrate that guided tissue growth isn't only in our distant science fiction future. It is in our short term future as well.
By Randall Parker at 2009 July 01 11:58 PM Biotech Teeth And GumsI am sooooooo happy to read this! My dentist has recommended gum grafting for me and I've put it off for two years now because I am terrified of the pain. If this gel really works and is available in my area you can sign me up!
I had this treatment three or four years ago. How come it is news now?
Daniel,
Because it is still not available and a paper was just published on it.
Did the treatment work well for you?
How do I find a periodontist in my area that specializes in this procedure?
I am looking for a dentist in the bay area that knows how to use the gel to grow tissue in a gum socket that got eaten away from a caustic material after an extraction that took too much bone out. Help
I have a question. I lost my front central.. tooth #8 in a car accident in 1987, there was some bone loss and surrounding teeth were damged. However;
I have successfully worn a bridge for 23 years. the root canals failed in 1994 and titanim post were inserted. I've maintained excellent oral hygeine but
am beginning to show minimal recession around anterior tooth #9. I am concerned about decay invading the margin and causing decay. I'm trying desperately to
hang onto my remaining anteriors until root regeneration is a possibility. Is there somewhere I could have this procdure done. I can travel. I have an appointment
next month. If my dentist reccommends it.. i will go with traditional grafting. what do you recommend?
Traditional gum grafting by a dentist richmond hill is a proven technique to treat gum recession. However, this new technique shows promise as it is less invasive and healing would be more faster and comfortable for the dental patient.
Company Applies Regenerative Medicine Expertise for New Therapeutic Class in Dentistry, Periodontology and Oral Surgery
Clinicians currently have limited options to correct gingival recession. Most commonly they perform a free gingival graft, in which tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth (palate) and is transplanted to the gum in order to prevent further recession. This procedure is performed approximately 500,000 times per year in the U.S. Drawbacks to free gingival graft procedures include pain and morbidity (at the site of the palate graft), insufficient tissue to treat all sites requiring treatment and often unappealing aesthetics due to poor color and texture match of the graft to the adjacent gums.
"We designed CelTx to address these shortcomings. Once approved, CelTx will allow a clinician to fully treat all compromised gums, will reduce patient pain and complications by eliminating the need for a graft, and provide a highly aesthetic clinical outcome,” continued Eklund. “We are looking forward to introducing what we believe will be a new therapeutic class in dentistry."
http://www.organogenesis.com/news/press_releases/press_release_ogn_files-21122009.html
Is this procedure available in Germany? Do you have a list of providers?