10/09/2026
Regrowing lost bone around a tooth 🦷
Gum disease does more than make your gums red or bleed. Over time, it eats away at the bone that holds your teeth in place. That leaves deep gaps around the tooth where bacteria hide and your toothbrush can’t reach. If nothing is done, the tooth gets loose and can eventually fall out.
This procedure is called guided tissue regeneration. Instead of just cleaning out the infection, it helps your body grow back the bone it lost. Here’s how it works, and our periodontist Dr. Daniel Choi demonstrates the procedure in this 2-minute video:
1️⃣ Clean everything out
We gently fold back the gum so we can see the root and the damaged area. Then we scrape out the infected tissue and clean the root until it’s smooth. It’s like clearing out weeds and dirt before planting a garden.
2️⃣ Add bone graft
We fill the empty space with bone graft material. Think of it as a frame for your body to build on. Over time, your own bone grows into it and replaces it with new, natural bone.
3️⃣ Put a barrier on top
This is the “guided” part. Gums heal much faster than bone does. If we don’t block them, the gums rush into the space first and the bone never gets a chance to grow. So we cover the area with a thin barrier, like a fence that keeps the gums out while the bone takes its time.
4️⃣ Stitch it closed
We put the gum back over everything and stitch it closed. This seals the area so bacteria stay out and everything stays in place while it heals.
The result: a stronger foundation, smaller gaps that are easier to keep clean, and a much better chance of keeping your own tooth.
The sooner gum disease is caught, the more we can save. If your gums bleed when you brush, look like they’re pulling back, or a tooth feels loose, don’t wait.
Call us for a consultation- (214) 592-0692
