Patients are often surprised by how comforting the procedure is. If LANAP or PRF is used, you generally won’t need any strong pain medication. Usually, OTC ibuprofen is enough, and recovery takes 24-48 hours
Periodontal regeneration is a specialized dental procedure that is used to restore bone and gum tissue that is lost to gum disease. Historically, bone loss was considered permanent, but with modern technologies using growth factors, laser therapy, and platelet-rich fibrin, the structures surrounding your teeth can be rebuilt. Here at Enamel Dentistry Lantana near the Barton Creek neighborhood, we are using advanced science to rebuild bone and gum tissues. Here is what the latest research says about saving your teeth.
Previously, dentists believed that if periodontal disease reached the bone and eroded it, the bone was unsalvageable. The best that dental practices could offer was methods to prevent the jawbone from deteriorating and to stop bleeding. While we cannot regrow your whole jawbone, guided tissue regeneration can reverse the damage to specific areas. By cleaning the infected areas and placing regenerative materials, we can influence your body into building new bone, which is critical for the stabilization of teeth that have started to loosen. This is especially important for retaining the ability to eat various foods, including those that have a harder texture. By doing so, we can ensure that when you’re having a steak at Carve American Grille, your teeth will remain stable.
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) functions to regrow bone and tissue in the mouth. Recent research supports that recombinant human-derived PDGF-enhanced matrices promote periodontal and peri-implant regeneration of bone [1] (Kaigler et al., 2011). In dentistry, we use synthetic or concentrated versions of growth factors that are applied directly to the area of bone loss. These proteins chemically signal to your stem cells to move towards the damaged area. Instead of forming scar tissue after the healing process, your body is revised into forming vascularized bone.
Lasers play a foundational role in modern periodontics. LANAP, or laser-assisted new attachment procedure, is an effective tool we use here at Enamel Dentistry Lantana.
Lasers can do two jobs at once:
In fact, research has found that moderate-to-deep periodontal pockets may benefit from LANAP before scaling the teeth [2] (Siddiqui et al., 2024).
Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF) offers a very natural and holistic way to heal. It appeals to patients who prioritize natural remedies because it involves zero chemicals or foreign substances. The process involves:
The PRF membrane is then placed over the treated area on the gums. Since this comes from your own body, there is no risk of the body rejecting it. This releases growth factors over 7-10 days, which significantly speeds up soft tissue healing and reduces pain.
Yes, stem cells are already available. There is a product called Emdogain, which is an injectable gel that is composed primarily of enamel matrix proteins. Emdogain has been proven to be an effective root surface therapy that supports the restoration of delayed replantation teeth [3] (Liu et al., 2025). When this gel is applied to the root surface during surgery, it mimics the body process that occurred when your teeth were initially forming as a child. It signals the tooth to grow cementum and ligaments, improving the structure of your gums and tooth. While complete stem-cell banking is still a new field, products such as Emdogain and bone grafts that contain stem-cell properties are available here at Enamel Dentistry Lantana near Barton Creek.
Feature | Traditional Gum Surgery | Laser Regeneration | Biologics |
Primary goal | Remove the infection | Regrow | Speed up healing |
Invasiveness | High | Low | Low |
Pain level | Moderate | Low | Minimal |
Recovery time | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 days | Varies from patient to patient |
Bone growth | Minimal | Yes | Yes |
Patients are often surprised by how comforting the procedure is. If LANAP or PRF is used, you generally won’t need any strong pain medication. Usually, OTC ibuprofen is enough, and recovery takes 24-48 hours
While the gums will heal in a few weeks, the bone takes longer. You won’t see the results on an X-ray for about 6-9 months after treatment.
Absolutely, nothing functions as well as your natural teeth. However, if the bone loss is very severe, a dental implant is often recommended.
Dr. Ravin Chodavadia, DDS, provides comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry at Enamel Dentistry in Austin, TX. He brings extensive experience in Invisalign, implant care, and cosmetic treatments. Known for his light-hearted, positive energy, he is committed to delivering thoughtful, evidence-based care that keeps patients comfortable and confident at every step.
[1] Kaigler, D., Avila, G., Wisner-Lynch, L., Nevins, M. L., Nevins, M., Rasperini, G., Lynch, S. E., & Giannobile, W. V. (2011). Platelet-derived growth factor applications in periodontal and peri-implant bone regeneration. Expert opinion on biological therapy, 11(3), 375–385.
[2] Siddiqui, A., Chowdhary, Z., Anamika, Gupta, D., Loitongbam, M., & Singh, V. (2024). Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure: An Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing in Moderate to Deep Periodontal Pockets Treatment. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences, 16(Suppl 4), S3877–S3879.
[3] Liu, Y., Peng, Y., Chen, L. et al. Single-cell sequencing systematically analyzed the mechanism of Emdogain on the restoration of the delayed replantation periodontal membrane. Int J Oral Sci 17, 33 (2025).
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