Periodontitis is more than microbial overgrowth in the oral cavity; it represents a sophisticated subversion of the host immune system. At the center of this process is the collapse of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR)–mediated signaling, whereby the host’s defense mechanisms are co-opted to sustain a chronic, dysbiotic state rather than eliminate pathogens.
A new review of over 300 studies suggests an “oral-gut-axis” linking inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and periodontitis. Patients with one condition are more likely to have the other, reports arXivLabs. This report on the correlation between the two conditions appeared in “Unraveling the Link between Periodontitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Challenges and Outlook,” published on … Read more
Q: How do I stage and grade Necrotizing Periodontal Disease (NPD) and Periodontitis as a Manifestation of Systemic Diseases (PMSD)? A: NPD and PMSD fall under the classification of “Periodontitis” in the new 2018 America Academy of Periodontology (AAP) global classification. (See Table 1.) However, the guidelines don’t recommend staging and grading these types of … Read more
Q: I am an experienced, technically-sound dental hygienist, so why do I have so many periodontitis clients that still have active disease on a three-month maintenance interval? Their plaque control is excellent, there is no detectable subgingival calculus, and I feel I understand endpoint. What am I missing? A: The more experienced you are, the … Read more
A new study from Aarthus University explored the effect of smoking on the results of treatment for different levels of periodontitis. The research revealed that heavy smokers with severe periodontitis got no benefit from the treatment, “while heavy smokers with moderate periodontitis only had a 50 percent effect from the treatment.” In some cases, the … Read more
Q: Our hygiene team gathers for monthly chart audit meetings to align on patient treatment, but we are debating the correct diagnosis of our last case. Perhaps you can help us settle the debate. A: Great to hear you have monthly chart audit meetings. They are a great way to align and learn. So, let’s … Read more
Q: I just started using the term “nonsurgical periodontal therapy” (NSPT) when speaking to my patients, and they often ask how NSPT is different than a “cleaning.” What is the easiest way to describe the difference without getting too technical? A: Interestingly enough, when I consult and teach, most hygienists insist that NSPT is something … Read more
Q: Can you make a dental hygiene diagnosis based on pocket depths alone? A few of my fellow hygienists insist that a 5mm pocket depth is an indication of periodontitis. A: No, you can not make an accurate Dental Hygiene Diagnosis (DHD) based on pocket depths alone. Pocket depths may assist in making a diagnosis … Read more
Still confused about the 2018 AAP Periodontal classification. Never fear! The next few monthly columns will review some of the most important updates made to the industry’s global periodontal guidelines to help hygiene teams achieve the highest level of care. Once we have exhausted this topic we will move onto other questions about the process of … Read more
With the support of a $50,000 award from the International Association for Dental Research, a project leader with the American Dental Association Science & Research Institute will examine the role biomarkers play in tracking the progression and treatment of periodontitis. Nicole Ritzert, Ph.D., won an IADR Innovation in Oral Care Award for her research proposal … Read more
Still confused about the 2018 AAP Periodontal classification. Never fear! The next few monthly columns will review some of the most important updates made to the industry’s global periodontal guidelines to help hygiene teams achieve the highest level of care. Once we have exhausted this topic we will move onto other questions about the process of … Read more
Have you ever said to a client during their dental hygiene appointment, “oh there is just a little bit of bleeding”? Overall, giving the client the impression, this is expected, normal, or really not something to be overly concerned with. ⠀ Throughout my career I have seen communication strategies of active inflammation evolve, and now … Read more
Long-term exposure to periodontal disease bacteria causes inflammation and degeneration of brain neurons in mice that is similar to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in humans, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The findings, which are published in PLOS ONE, suggest that periodontal disease, a common but preventable … Read more
We are being challenged every day to grow as professionals. It is often difficult to keep up with all of the new information that seems to bombard us. The necessity of oral cancer screening, routinely, on a younger demographic. Infection Prevention and Control guidelines that must be implemented. The impact on oral health that the … Read more
In the treatment of severe liver disorders such as cirrhosis the standard of care traditionally has not focused on the patient’s teeth. Yet now, investigators at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) have just released new study findings that show routine oral care to treat gum disease (periodontitis) may play a role in reducing inflammation and … Read more
A new UCLA-led study provides clear evidence that cellular messengers in saliva may be able to regulate the growth of oral bacteria responsible for diseases, such as periodontitis and meningitis. The study’s findings, which suggest that a body’s cellular messengers play an important role in managing the amount of good and bad bacteria in the … Read more
Uploaded by AshleyMarkDMD1 on Feb 2, 2012 A great technique and real life experience of having an abutment screw strip while trying to remove the screw retained crown. Dr. Kaep was on the ball as he dove into make a groove into the head of the screw w/ a small round highspeed bur, and then, use a philips-esque … Read more
Dirk Ziebolz, Ivette Szabadi, et al BMC Oral Health 2011, 11:3doi:10.1186/1472-6831-11-3 Published: 14 January 2011 Abstract (provisional) Background The periodontal screening index (PSI) is an element of the initial dental examination. The PSI provides information on the periodontal situation and allows a first estimation of the treatment required. The dental panoramic tomography (DPT) indicates the proximal bone … Read more
From an article in Clinical Oral Investigations – C-reactive protein in relation to early atherosclerosis and periodontitis Maha Yakob, Jukka H. Meurman, Tomas Jogestrand, Jacek Nowak, Per-Östen Söder and Birgitta Söder Image via Wikipedia Periodontitis may affect atherosclerosis via the chronic inflammation. We investigated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in relation to early vascular atherosclerotic changes … Read more
From Medical News Today Lactobacillus Reuteri Prodentis effective in the treatment of periodontitis The study shows that L. reuteri Prodentis acts synergistically with standard treatment (scaling and root plaining, SRP) to significantly reduce probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) which are the two most important parameters to assess the severity of periodontitis. … Read more