Diagnosis and treatment
In diagnosing the problem and planning treatment, it is important to know what
kind of microorganisms are present. Treatment is directed toward eliminating or
controlling this pathogenic overgrowth. When the "bad guys" are gone, the
immune system doesn't have to "fight" anymore. In turning off its fight
mechanism, it can then switch to a healing response and rebuild healthy tissue.
Treatment will involve a combination of in-office techniques and at-home
techniques. These procedures are adapted from protocols developed by the
Periodontal Committee of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and
Toxicology (IAOMT). In the office, usually over a series of a few visits, the
periodontal pockets (the space under the gum line where the harmful bacteria
and their toxins are hiding) are meticulously flushed and irrigated with
antimicrobial solutions. This flushes out and detoxifies the areas. Any buildup of
"tartar" ("calculus"), creating rough surfaces is carefully removed. Samples of
bacterial plaque are taken periodically and evaluated under a powerful
phase-contrast microscope to monitor what types of organisms are present, how
many, and in what type of organization.
At home, most patients will also be using a home "irrigator" to keep areas
effectively clean and detoxified and prevent re-infection. We will usually advise
some help in boosting the immune system's healing response. This may involve
some daily supplements specifically designed for this purpose. It sometimes
involves referral to other health practitioners whose expertise complements our
treatment.
Goal of treatment
The goal is elimination of infection and stimulation of a healing response.
Reduction of periodontal pocket depth will often follow, but this traditional
measure of periodontal health isn't as significant as we have previously thought.
Any previous tenderness or bleeding should be eliminated. A major goal is also
to eliminate the need for traditional periodontal surgery. By preventing
re-infection, we expect long term healing to continue. Evaluation of the teeth,
dental restorations, the occlusion (bite relationship), nutrition and lifestyle
factors are all important. For example, smokers will almost always have a
compromised long-term prognosis. Periodic evaluation and monitoring are vital.
We don't want people to be stuck on a merry-go-round of having to come in
every three months to get their teeth "cleaned." But regular monitoring for
re-infection is very important, both during the initial treatment phase, and
periodically thereafter, for long-term success. Remember that by eliminating this
chronic infection you are not only enjoying a healthier mouth, but also
eliminating a possible risk factor for several other chronic health problems.
We'd like to help you keep your teeth and mouth healthy for your lifetime, and
to do it in a way that is most effective, least invasive, most biocompatible and
most comfortable. That is the aim of Biocompatible Periodontal Therapy.
Scientific references for Biocompatible Periodontal Therapy are available on
request. If interested, please email our office.
In diagnosing the problem and planning treatment, it is important to know what
kind of microorganisms are present. Treatment is directed toward eliminating or
controlling this pathogenic overgrowth. When the "bad guys" are gone, the
immune system doesn't have to "fight" anymore. In turning off its fight
mechanism, it can then switch to a healing response and rebuild healthy tissue.
Treatment will involve a combination of in-office techniques and at-home
techniques. These procedures are adapted from protocols developed by the
Periodontal Committee of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and
Toxicology (IAOMT). In the office, usually over a series of a few visits, the
periodontal pockets (the space under the gum line where the harmful bacteria
and their toxins are hiding) are meticulously flushed and irrigated with
antimicrobial solutions. This flushes out and detoxifies the areas. Any buildup of
"tartar" ("calculus"), creating rough surfaces is carefully removed. Samples of
bacterial plaque are taken periodically and evaluated under a powerful
phase-contrast microscope to monitor what types of organisms are present, how
many, and in what type of organization.
At home, most patients will also be using a home "irrigator" to keep areas
effectively clean and detoxified and prevent re-infection. We will usually advise
some help in boosting the immune system's healing response. This may involve
some daily supplements specifically designed for this purpose. It sometimes
involves referral to other health practitioners whose expertise complements our
treatment.
Goal of treatment
The goal is elimination of infection and stimulation of a healing response.
Reduction of periodontal pocket depth will often follow, but this traditional
measure of periodontal health isn't as significant as we have previously thought.
Any previous tenderness or bleeding should be eliminated. A major goal is also
to eliminate the need for traditional periodontal surgery. By preventing
re-infection, we expect long term healing to continue. Evaluation of the teeth,
dental restorations, the occlusion (bite relationship), nutrition and lifestyle
factors are all important. For example, smokers will almost always have a
compromised long-term prognosis. Periodic evaluation and monitoring are vital.
We don't want people to be stuck on a merry-go-round of having to come in
every three months to get their teeth "cleaned." But regular monitoring for
re-infection is very important, both during the initial treatment phase, and
periodically thereafter, for long-term success. Remember that by eliminating this
chronic infection you are not only enjoying a healthier mouth, but also
eliminating a possible risk factor for several other chronic health problems.
We'd like to help you keep your teeth and mouth healthy for your lifetime, and
to do it in a way that is most effective, least invasive, most biocompatible and
most comfortable. That is the aim of Biocompatible Periodontal Therapy.
Scientific references for Biocompatible Periodontal Therapy are available on
request. If interested, please email our office.
Biocompatible Periodontal Therapy
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- Biocompatible Periodontal Therapy
coexistence with living tissues or organisms without
causing harm." Our approach to the diagnosis and
treatment of periodontal disease always tries to keep
this idea in the forefront.
Periodontal Infection
Periodontal disease is an infectious process. We can
almost interchangeably use the term periodontal
infection. There are particular types of bacteria and
other microorganisms known to be involved. We all
have bacteria in our mouths, and some of them
probably belong there. A healthy mouth doesn't
really mean one that is sterilized of all bacteria (nor
would that be possible to accomplish). It is when
certain types of bacteria, living just under the gum
line and creating an overgrowth or imbalance of
harmful bacteria, that periodontal disease results.
There is a complex cascade of events involving the
body's immune response to this overgrowth of
pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms. Chemicals are
released by the immune system in the course of
fighting these bacteria that actually create the
inflammation that we see in the gums.
Risk factor for other health problems?
Research, especially in the last few years, has shown
a link between periodontal infection and several
systemic diseases. Heart disease, ulcers, arthritis,
diabetes, premature low-birth weight babies and
other health problems have been linked with
periodontal disease to a degree that it can be
considered a risk factor for these health problems.
Periodontal disease is an infectious process. We can
almost interchangeably use the term periodontal
infection. There are particular types of bacteria and
other microorganisms known to be involved. We all
have bacteria in our mouths, and some of them
probably belong there. A healthy mouth doesn't
really mean one that is sterilized of all bacteria (nor
would that be possible to accomplish). It is when
certain types of bacteria, living just under the gum
line and creating an overgrowth or imbalance of
harmful bacteria, that periodontal disease results.
There is a complex cascade of events involving the
body's immune response to this overgrowth of
pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms. Chemicals are
released by the immune system in the course of
fighting these bacteria that actually create the
inflammation that we see in the gums.
Risk factor for other health problems?
Research, especially in the last few years, has shown
a link between periodontal infection and several
systemic diseases. Heart disease, ulcers, arthritis,
diabetes, premature low-birth weight babies and
other health problems have been linked with
periodontal disease to a degree that it can be
considered a risk factor for these health problems.
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Much has been learned in the past decade or so about periodontal disease, and
how to treat it effectively. Very importantly, a lot has also been learned about
what has been ineffective. Traditional approaches in the past have often been
fairly effective short term, but disappointing in the long term. Also, these
approaches have often been rather invasive (surgical) and uncomfortable.
how to treat it effectively. Very importantly, a lot has also been learned about
what has been ineffective. Traditional approaches in the past have often been
fairly effective short term, but disappointing in the long term. Also, these
approaches have often been rather invasive (surgical) and uncomfortable.
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Dr. Prager is pleased
and excited to announce
that his friend and
colleague, Dr. Paul
Rubin, will be joining
our practice on
Tuesdays to begin
working with patients
specifically in the area of
biocompatible
periodontal therapy.
Dr. Rubin's Credentials
and excited to announce
that his friend and
colleague, Dr. Paul
Rubin, will be joining
our practice on
Tuesdays to begin
working with patients
specifically in the area of
biocompatible
periodontal therapy.
Dr. Rubin's Credentials
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