Critical Thinking: The Systemic Antibiotic Option

Posted on April 24, 2020May 20, 2021 by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH

The MyPerioPath® test provides a wide variety of valuable information for the clinician to consider in the care of their patients. In one example, the Treatment Consideration section of the report provides a recommendation for a regimen of oral antibiotics when the test results show bacteria levels greater than the black lines, called the therapeutic threshold. Where did this recommendation come from? This choice of drug, along with the recommended doses, are based on published research of...

Salivary Diagnostics for Gum Disease and Oral Cancer Risk Assessment

Posted on April 10, 2020May 20, 2021 by Idelle S. Brand DDS, ND

Clinical laboratory testing is a common practice for the medical professional. DNA testing, including genetic testing, has led to healthier patients. Cross over to dentistry, and let’s review 2 examples of what’s available. Presently, in my office, we perform MyPerioID® IL-6, a test for the genetic marker interleukin 6 (IL-6) to screen for genetic risk of periodontal disease and a viral DNA test for the human papilloma virus (HPV) to screen for risk of oral cancer. The collection is relativ...

Interview with Brooke Armour, RDH

Posted on March 20, 2020May 20, 2021 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...

How do you speak Pregnancy and Periodontal Disease with your patients?

Posted on March 13, 2020August 14, 2024 by Nancy Wahl RDH, BS MC

Dr. McGlennen: The oral microbiota changes when women become pregnant, and levels of periodontal pathogens increase1. During pregnancy, periodontal inflammation worsens, mostly due to increased levels of A.a., P.g., F.n. and P.i.2. Among these oral pathogens, there is a marked risk of infection of the maternal blood and the placenta, which leads to an increase in pre-term labor, lower birth weight and even the chance of fetal loss due specifically to the bacteria P.g. and F.n.3,4. Further, the...

Interview with the Searcy Dental Team

Posted on March 6, 2020May 20, 2021 by Searcy Dental

Dr. McGlennen: Please tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics in your practice. Searcy Dental team: We use salivary diagnostics as standard protocol in our periodontal therapy program, especially MyPerioPath®. These results help us, and patients, understand exactly which pathogens are present and at what levels. When a patient has responded to our applied therapy, we are able to measure the amazing results by post treatment testing. Dr. McGlennen: What are the top two thing...

Soft Tissue Program with a Microscope & MyPerioPath®

Posted on February 28, 2020May 20, 2021 by Cori Creeks RDH

As with most dental practices we have a soft tissue program in place to help treat periodontal disease as well as gingivitis. We use the traditional x-rays and periodontal probing exams that allow us to assess periodontal damage that has already occurred within the soft tissues and bone. We have also implemented a new type of exam that can show us bacteria that is present in the gum tissues. Our team recently received training on the use of a microscope and Dr. Hawkins decided to purchase...

Case Study: Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on February 21, 2020May 20, 2021 by Shawn Perla RDH

Challenge: A new patient who has neglected dental care for 20 years with a chief complaint of broken teeth and bleeding gums appoints to address his dental concerns. Background: A 70-year-old male patient with broken teeth and bleeding gums appoints to our office. His last dental visit was estimated to be 20 years ago. Surprisingly the patient was not experiencing dental pain. The periodontal assessment revealed generalized 4-6 mm pockets with localized 7-9 mm pockets, inflamed and bulbo...

American Academy of Oral Medicine: The Past, The Present, and The Future

Posted on February 14, 2020May 20, 2021 by Jaisri R. Thoppay DDS

On April 29-May 2, 2020, the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) celebrates its 75th annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. The theme of our meeting is “Oral Medicine: The Past, The Present, and The Future.” In 1945, “The Past,” Dr. Samuel Charles Miller founded the academy with a keen intent to integrate dental and medical issues. This inspiration has formed a strong foundation, “The Present,” that over the years, through education, collaboration, and research, has set standards for mana...

Up Your Oral Health Game with Salivary Testing: Part 2

Posted on January 17, 2020May 20, 2021 by Barbara Tritz RDH

The Path of Pathogen Destruction Cardiovascular Disease We know that the oral pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) are directly connected to atherosclerosis.1 We know cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the United States. Gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes and aspiration pn...

Up Your Oral Health Game with Salivary Testing: Part 1

Posted on January 10, 2020May 20, 2021 by Barbara Tritz RDH

Aren’t you tired of the same old drill and fill, pumice-pushing lecture about tooth decay, flossing, and bleeding gums? Yet, patients still come back infected and full of plaque. All our great suggestions are for naught. We keep lecturing, hoping for different results. It becomes discouraging and frustrating for our patients and leads to burnout and career changes for us. On top of that - despite all of our efforts, all of our breath, and all of our floss - periodontal disease is still ...