Traditionally, eliminating the gum pockets by removing the infected gum tissue and by re-contouring the uneven bone tissue treats gum disease. Although this is still an effective way of treating gum disease, new and more sophisticated procedures are used routinely today.
Guided tissue bone regeneration (GTR) "regenerates" the previously lost gum and bone tissue. Most techniques utilize membranes, which are inserted over the bone defects. Some of these membranes are bio-absorbable and some require removal. Other regenerative procedures involve the use of donated and/or synthetic bone. Usually a combination of regeneration and osseous surgery are performed to help eliminate the deep pockets that remain after the scalings and of other non-surgical treatment.