Periodontics

Peter Birek, DDS, MSc., Dip. Perio.; Jose DaCosta, BSc., DDS, MSc, FRCD(C); Mindy Pho, BSc., DMD; and Aaron Fenton, DDS, MS, FRCD(C)

ABSTRACT With proper surgical and prosthetic treatment, the majority of today’s implants are predictably reliable. Manufacturers’ claims of superiority due to new and unique design characteristics often lack good scientific backing. Platform switching, while still unproven, might offer some advantages, however, clinicians should base their implant choice on patient needs and system simplicity rather than … Read more

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) is an acute bacterial infection caused by fusiform rods and spirochetes (Borrelia vincentii). When NUG progresses and results in attachment loss, it is referred to as necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (NUP). Together, NUG and NUP are now classified as “Necrotizing Periodontal Diseases” according to the 1999 classification of periodontal diseases and conditions.1 … Read more

Advances in basic biomedical research have greatly enhanced our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of many diseases. From a clinician’s viewpoint, these advances are truly meaningful only if they can be translated into new technologies or methods that will improve clinical practice. On occasion, a discovery is made that causes us to reassess our … Read more

Said the late, British born and very Canadian cartoonist Ben Wicks. Although he called for a specific civil task, to me it meant much more. This self-effacing but charming Member of the Order of Canada wished to remind fellow Canadians of our duty to be nice to each other, a simple code of civility — … Read more

Despite the best therapeutic efforts by dental professionals to treat periodontal disease, some patients do not respond as well as expected. These cases appear resistant to treatment and as such, these patients are deemed to exhibit Refractory Periodontitis.1 The nature and pathogenesis of Refractory Periodontitis are not yet clearly understood. It is likely that factors … Read more

Sitting at a dinner table on a nice summer night with a group of colleagues, the discussion inevitably steered to the grind of a dentist’s life, day in and day out. In one of my rare moments of introspection I said that “it takes all I have” to practice my craft, day in and day … Read more

The primary objective of periodontal therapy is to assist our patients in preserving their dentitions in health and function. As one ages, there is an increasing likelihood that periodontal disease may become evident. This disease is manifested by the invasion of pathogenic bacteria into the subgingival environment. As a result, an inflammatory process can be … Read more

ABSTRACT The etiology of chronic periodontitis involves complex host-parasite interactions modified by environmental and genetic factors. Contemporary thinking suggests that successful long term management of chronic periodontitis may combine both local mechanical and antimicrobial therapy with modulation of the patients’ systemic (host) response to the bacterial exposure. A drug has been approved by the United … Read more