Th New Paradigm for Periodontal Disease Control, Part 3

Dentistry has found ways to manage these infections beyond cleaning up the biofilms in the past 10 years. Routinely altering the patient's susceptibility (shifting it towards being more resistant to disease) helps them keep their teeth longer.

Shifting a patient's inflammatory response can be done with unique medications (Periostat, Oracea). These medications suppress an enzyme that is critical in creating inflammation.

Probiotics like Evora Plus have been engineered to displace the bad bugs in the biofilms with a specific group of bacterial species. Just as we see Activia yogurt commercials showing how we can add good bugs to our gut, we now see how oral probiotics shift the prevalence of oral bacteria that promote periodontal disease. 

Achieving excellent diabetic control is another way to improve a patient's threshold for infection.

Autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes, are complex and numerous. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, HIV--just to name a few--are all diseases that, when well-controlled, influence the outcome of teeth in periodontal disease patients.

Smoking cessation, stress reduction, creating healthy work environments, behavioral therapy, proper diet and managing alcohol intake, consistent exercise--all of these are lifestyle changes that make a difference.

Most people don't realize that periodontal disease is a bug problem AND a bite problem. Balancing a bite with orthodontics, wearing bite guards, and anchoring or stabilizing teeth are dental solutions to treating periodontal disease. And the last resort, of course, is to remove teeth that have contributed to the constant pileup of biofilms.

Stabilizing Loose Teeth

Teeth can become loose for several reasons: Traumatic injuries, severe periodontal disease, or tooth grinding. In many cases, those problems become terminal, and the loose teeth have to be removed.

We can stabilize teeth and increase their lifespan. If we can anchor loose teeth successfully, and treat the source of the loose teeth, those questionable teeth can survive longer.

One method is splinting. We can unite or bond several teeth together. We can use metal wires or non-metallic fibers to unite the teeth with adhesive dentistry.




We also make clear acrylic splints called biteguards so you can reduce the traumatic forces of grinding.



Combining splinting with treatments for bite problems or treating periodontal disease can prevent premature tooth loss.