How Do You Speak Testing? With Katherine Gutierrez RDH

Posted on April 22, 2022August 14, 2024 by Katherine Gutierrez

Patient Bio: Your patient is 34 years old, and she is new to your practice. She recently moved back to the area to be closer to her father who was recently diagnosed with dementia. Her partner and two children will also be joining your practice soon. She is not taking any medications and her last dental visit was before she moved about 9 months ago. She presents with these clinical signs. How would you introduce therapy including MyPerioPath® to this patient? In our practice, the doc...

Patient with Chronic Gingivitis & Oral Candida

Posted on April 1, 2022March 29, 2022 by Kathleen Nichols, DDS

Challenge: Patient presented with chronic gingivitis and oral Candida symptoms Background: A 64-year-old female sought treatment from a medical doctor for a “thrush-like” infection. The medical doctor then referred the patient to an ENT. However, this patient was already of our record and decided to start with our office. The chief complaint is a “thrush-like” infection in the mouth, throat and lips. The clinical assessment confirmed generalized white patches. Upon periodontal assessment,...

Periodontal Disease with a Patient Experiencing Vision Impairment

Posted on March 11, 2022March 9, 2022 by Monica Vigon DMD

Challenge: Patient experiencing recent vision impairment presented as Stage III Grade B, active generalized periodontal disease with localized severe periodontal disease in the maxillary anterior area. Background: Age: 36 Sex: M Medical History: Patient reports recent vision impairment with the right eye. Under the care of the ophthalmologist, a diagnosis has not been found. No other systemic diseases or conditions reported. Last Dental Exam: Within 3 years Chi...

Oral Health Contributing to Health Issues with Sarah Poteet DDS, PA

Posted on February 25, 2022May 31, 2022 by Sarah Poteet DDS PA

Challenge: Due to dental anxiety, specifically the fear of being overwhelmed with dental problems, the patient finally took the necessary steps to address her chief complaint, “My gums are bleeding, and my teeth are sensitive. I want a more holistic approach to dental care. I feel like my mouth is contributing to my health issues.” Background: Age: 37 Sex: Female Medical History: Severe eczema since childhood, long term topical and systemic steroid for skin has resulted in steroid...

Classic Periodontal Disease after COVID with Brenda Sullivan RDH

Posted on January 28, 2022January 21, 2022 by Brenda Sullivan RDH

Challenge: Patients are avoiding routine dental visits due to fear of contracting COVID. This patient had missed several hygiene appointments during the pandemic. Our goal was to re-establish health and increase homecare to help this patient’s general immunity. Background: This case study involves an 84-year-old male with a history of scaling and root planing, who before this assessment was in good periodontal health. His blood pressure was 114/72 and his pulse 83. He has a history of cancer,...

Case Study: Class III Moderate Periodontitis with Halitosis

Posted on November 26, 2021November 22, 2021 by Jamie Griggs RDH

Background: The patient is a 61-year-old male who presented with concerns of halitosis. The home care routine consisted of daily tooth brushing and inconsistent flossing. Following the periodontal assessment, the patient was classified as Class III generalized periodontitis with localized Class IV due to pocket depth measurements, heavy bleeding on probing with inflamed, bulbous, and erythematous tissue. The patient has a history of periodontal therapy and has maintained a 3-month recare int...

Pregnancy & Periodontal Inflammation: Pathogens or Hormones?

Posted on November 19, 2021November 18, 2021 by Gabby Finn RDH

Challenge: Pregnant, periodontal maintenance patient appointed with increasing periodontal measurements over the last two periodontal maintenance appointments. The goal of testing is to establish the cause for the increase of inflammation. Background: My 44-year-old periodontal maintenance patient with a regular recall and excellent home care consisting of electric toothbrushing 2 times per day, nightly flossing, and use of Waterpik™ 2 times per day presented for a maintenance appointment...

How Do You Speak Testing? With Donna Shook RDH

Posted on October 29, 2021August 14, 2024 by Donna Shook RDH

Patient Bio: New patient is a 66-year-old female. Per her records, her last active periodontal therapy was over 10 years ago. Her previous dentist just retired, and she is looking for a new dental home. Her home care consists of brushing twice a day with occasional flossing. The patient started smoking at age 18 and currently smokes 1 pack per day. She has expressed an interest in quitting. Medical history includes osteoporosis. How would you introduce therapy including MyPe...

Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis – Controlling Two Birds with One Stone?

Posted on September 10, 2021September 9, 2021 by Pete Williams

Challenge: Our case study represents an example of the emerging evidence from interventional and, more recently, animal studies showing how seemingly unrelated diseases such as periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis can be related through similar genetic, biological, and clinically consistent mechanisms.1,2,3,4 Background: The initial medical assessment for a 57-year-old female diagnosed with palindromic rheumatoid arthritis was conducted at our functional medicine clinic....

How to Share a Case Study

Posted on August 13, 2021August 13, 2021 by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH

An article written by Crowe, Cresswell et al. states a case study is a research approach that is used to generate an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context.1 Periodontal disease fits this definition because it is a complex issue with real-life context. Personally, case study presentations have been a huge benefit in establishing my approach to periodontal therapy. What I learned in school is that the one size fits all approach should work, however I’...