Regeneration of lost periodontal tissues, especially bone, is becoming more commonplace and the predictability is increasing.

Periodontal disease often results in the destruction of significant amounts of bone which supports the teeth.  In later stages of the disease,  the extreme bone loss leads to mobility or looseness of the teeth and a subsequent loss of the ability to chew comfortably.

Periodontics has for the last 25 years been improving the technologies necessary to regenerate lost bone and restore teeth to their function.   In certain types of bone loss situations, we are able to regenerate 100% of the lost bone.  The average amount restored, however is usually between 60 and 75 percent.

Briefly the techniques of flap surgery are usually employed. After the area has been thoroughly cleansed one of several techniques are used to regenerate the bone.  By far, the most commonly used procedure is a "bone graft" where either your own bone, allograft (bone from another person) or a synthetic material is placed into the area to be regenerated.   Procedures that aid us in bone regeneration include:

	Emdogain
	Bone Grafting and Guided Tissue Regeneration

Success is measured by how much the periodontal pocket is reduced and how much bone has regenerated on subsequent X Rays.  Much research is underway to significantly improve these techniques and progress is being reported in journals every month!

For a separate discusssion of regeneration of lost gum tissue see gum grafting.