Anti-microbials are substances that will inhibit or eliminate the growth of a microorganism. They include antibiotics, antiseptics and other disinfectants.
What are antiseptics?
Antiseptics are chemical disinfectants that are applied at the gum surface or under the gum-line to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. A mouthwash is an antiseptic.
What is an antibiotic?
An antibiotic is a substance that is taken orally or is injected and it passes through the entire body in order to get to a site of infection or is used to prevent infection. An antibiotic prevents the existing organism from growing further or destroys the current growth.
Some studies suggest that scaling and root planing with anti-microbial support will eliminate the need for periodontal surgery, and that it is a more cost-effective, user-friendly means of periodontal treatment. However, other recent studies have concluded that surgery may provide a better long-term outcome with less need for additional treatments than non-surgical therapy. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is concerned that these studies have initiated debate that is confusing for practitioners and patients and may thwart thoughtful discussion and better understanding of the key issue: what is the most effective means to keep periodontal diseases at-bay for each individual patient?
"Periodontal health should be achieved in the least invasive and most cost-effective manner."
AAP treatment guidelines have always stressed that periodontal health should be achieved in the least invasive and most cost-effective manner. This is often accomplished through non-surgical periodontal treatment, including scaling and root planing (a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins), followed by adjunctive therapy such as systemic and local delivery antimicrobials and host modulation, as needed and on a case-by-case basis. Most periodontists would agree that after scaling and root planing, many patients do not require any further active treatment, including surgical therapy. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain health. Non-surgical treatment does have its limitations, however, and when it does not achieve periodontal health, surgery may be indicated to restore periodontal anatomy damaged by periodontal diseases and to facilitate oral hygiene practices.
Some studies propose that patients receive antibiotics at the time of scaling and root planing. This blanket use of antibiotics is not necessary for most patients because they usually respond well to non-surgical treatment without antibiotics. Blanket antibiotic use disregards the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for appropriate antibiotic use for healthcare providers. As healthcare providers, it is important for all dentists to consider antibiotic usage guidelines in treatment planning, so that the effectiveness of their use is preserved for patients who do not initially respond to therapy; and to avoid contributing to one of the world's most pressing health problems namely, antibiotic resistance.
The AAP continually monitors emerging research to identify therapies that further its members' understanding of cost-effective, minimally invasive procedures in the treatment of periodontal diseases. Unfortunately, when the overly simplistic dispute over non-surgical versus surgical procedures arises, it often misleads patients and the dental community into thinking it's an "either-or" debate. In fact, the procedures are complementary, with each having their place in treatment, and each having their limitations.
Perio Protect
What is the Perio-Protect System?
Perio Protect® is a comprehensive method that is customized for individual patients to help manage biofilms, communities of bacteria, growing in the spaces or pockets between teeth and gum tissue. The overall goal of the Perio Protect Method™ is to manage oral biofilm with minimally invasive dentistry for lasting oral health.
The Method is a combination of treatments, including a non-invasive chemical debriding therapy used in conjunction with traditional mechanical debriding procedures. The chemical therapy involves a tray delivery of doctor-prescribed solutions to chemically debride biofilm from the periodontal pocket and alter the pocket's microbiological environment to disrupt biofilm growth.
The standard cleaning procedures in dental offices (e.g. scaling and root planing) help remove plaque and tartar and help reduce bacteria, but unfortunately bacteria reproduce quickly and biofilms regenerate very easily, so it is difficult to control them between office visits.
With the Perio Protect Method, you can place prescribed solutions into periodontal pockets with an appropriately formed, customized dental tray between office visits to help manage biofilm. Although a dentist must choose the most appropriate solution for individual patients, the most commonly prescribed solution with the Method has oxidizing and oxygenating agents. Oxidizing agents debride (chemically remove) the slimy protective coating of a biofilm and its underlying layers and also cleanse the oral wounds.
Dentists may choose to treat the oral wounds with the chemical debriding and cleansing agents before mechanical debriding procedures to help reduce bacterial populations and thus reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream during mechanical debridement.
For most people following the Perio Protect Method, the placement of prescribed solutions into a periodontal pocket via a customized prescription tray requires only minutes each day. Patients describe the tray delivery as comfortable and appreciate its non-invasive technology.
Out of Town Patients
Our office is conveniently located near the Dayton International Airport and our staff will be happy to help you with your travel and lodging arrangements if needed.
Laser Periodontist (periodontics, perio, dentist, dental specialist, treatment of gum disease, bleeding gums, bad breath, scaling and root planning, deep cleaning, gum grafts, saving teeth, lip repositioning, crown lengthening, gummy smile, and frenectomy) serving the Miami Valley including the Ohio communities of Vandalia, Dayton, Oakwood, Riverside, Kettering, Trotwood, Huber Heights, West Carrollton, Beavercreek, Centerville, Miamisburg, Tipp City, Fairborn, Englewood, New Lebanon, Bellbrook, Springboro, Union, Clayton, Troy, Piqua, Greenville, Springfield, Sidney, Celina, Lima, Wapakoneta, New Carlisle, Xenia, Yellow Springs, Jamestown, Columbus, Cincinnati, London, Richmond Indiana and surrounding communities.
