Periodontal Disease

The Hidden Threat to Dental Implants: Why Ignoring Bacteria is a Risky Gamble – Part 2

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
  In Part 1, we uncovered a hidden threat to dental implants—bacteria—and explored why so many providers overlook the critical step of testing for harmful pathogens before placement. Despite the clear risks, common objections like cost, insurance coverage, and lack of awareness often stand in the way. In Part 2, we’ll break down how to shift the conversation, overcome objections, and use ethical influence to help patients make the best decision for their long-term health. The truth i...
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The Hidden Threat to Dental Implants: Why Ignoring Bacteria is a Risky Gamble – Part 1

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
    Dental implants are everywhere these days. But you know what else is popping up more often? Implant failures. Here’s the title of a recently promoted CE course: “Peri-Implantitis Badlands: Surviving the Wasteland of Failing Implants” It’s like Einstein said: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. So, when a patient loses teeth due to periodontal disease, why in the world would we expect implants to be immun...
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Throwback: Interview with Brooke Armour, RDH

Posted on by Brooke Armour RDH
Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Brooke RDH: I use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics to test new patients, patients that have clinical signs of periodontal disease, or patients with a complex medical history. Dr. McGlennen: What are the biggest benefits to using salivary diagnostics? Brooke RDH: The benefits of salivary diagnostics are being able to quantify periodontal disease, having something to physically show the patient about their periodontal dise...
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Saving Tooth #24

Posted on by Taylor Oltman
  At OralDNA® Labs, we understand that identifying and addressing oral bacteria is critical to improving patient outcomes. A recent case shared by Dr. Lee Sheldon, a distinguished periodontist, highlights the synergy between advanced diagnostics and methodical care. In his video, Dr. Sheldon detailed how he saved a severely compromised tooth (#24) for a 47-year-old patient. His approach reinforces the importance of leveraging tools like OralDNA testing to guide treatment plans. Dr...
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How Do You Speak Testing? With Bianca Velayo DMD – Part 2

Posted on by Bianca Velayo DMD
In this section, we dive into how the test results from OralDNA® Labs shaped the personalized treatment plans for Patient A and Patient B. By analyzing both genetic factors and bacterial profiles, we can better understand each patient’s unique risks and challenges. Let’s explore how these insights guided our approach to managing their periodontal disease and improving their overall health Interpret results for the patient: Turnaround time is 5 business days with a few days transit. My ...
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How Do You Speak Testing? With Bianca Velayo DMD – Part 1

Posted on by Bianca Velayo DMD
Hypothetical Patient Bio: Patient A (Husband): A 35-year-old male, non-smoker, generally healthy with no systemic conditions. The patient reported that his symptoms began approximately three years ago and progressively worsened despite regular brushing. Patient B (Wife): A 32-year-old female, non-smoker, generally healthy with no systemic conditions. She is currently 18 weeks pregnant with her first child. Periodontal Assessment: Patient A: Probing depths: 5-8 mm in several sites...
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Revolutionizing Periodontal Disease Screening and Treatment with OFC and Alert 2™ Diagnostics

Posted on by Robert Benavides DDS
In the evolving field of dental diagnostics, early detection is the key to effective management of periodontal disease. One of the latest advances in our practice is the utilization of OFC (Oral Fitness Check) by DentoGnostics, a groundbreaking tool that allows us to screen for active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8). The presence of aMMP-8 signals ongoing collagen breakdown, providing valuable insight into the health of the periodontal tissues. When detected, this makes our providers cur...
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Are Tooth Extractions Getting Out of Hand?

Posted on by Taylor Oltman
Today, we highlight a critical message from Dr. Lee Sheldon, an experienced periodontist, who challenges common misconceptions about extractions and periodontal disease. Dr. Sheldon points out a common but misguided notion in dentistry: Periodontal disease often leads to unavoidable tooth extraction. He states, “There are way too many teeth that are being extracted...People are told ‘You've got periodontal disease, you’ve got to lose your teeth,’ or ‘You won't have enough bone...
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Dr. Benavides: “Did We Overtreat: The Value of Proactive Intervention for the Periodontal Patient.”

Posted on by Robert Benavides DDS
Disambiguating between Plaque-Induced Gingivitis and Stage II Periodontitis is an easy diagnostic feat. The difficulty increases when we attempt to finalize a diagnosis between Gingivitis and Early-Onset Periodontitis. As a reminder, according to The American Academy of Periodontology, it takes 15% of radiographic bone loss (RBL) for our patients to land at Stage I Periodontitis. The goal of this article is to present you with two cases that could be interpreted as borderline. Our goa...
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The Time Is Now: Halftime

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
  “Timing is everything” was made popular by none other than the bard himself, William Shakespeare in “Julius Caesar.”  How apropos! Half the year is over.  Now is the perfect time to step back and reassess.  It’s also the perfect time to evaluate new opportunities. The issue of cognitive decline is front and center in the public’s eyes for obvious reasons.  I’m sure sales of Prevagen® have skyrocketed.  That’s why NOW is the time to discuss this with your patients and referral sour...
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