Biological Periodontal Therapy
It is estimated that as many as 80% of Americans have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. Science has now proven a direct link between the health of the teeth and gums to the health of the whole person. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions have been shown to often go hand in hand with periodontal disease.
Currently, gum disease is diagnosed with x-rays, measuring of pockets (space around each tooth) and incidence of bleeding. Treatments normally include scaling or scraping of the root structure and gum surgery. Success with these techniques success of treatment is mixed at best. Failure is often blamed on a “non-compliant” patient.
Biological periodontal therapy focuses totally on the bacteria living in the pockets around the teeth. Following the protocols of the IAOMT, a sample of the bacteria is taken and placed under a phase contrast microscope which magnifies them 400 times. Once it has been confirmed that pathogenic (bad, disease-causing) bacteria are present, therapy begins.
The pockets are irrigated (flushed out) with a solution of ozone and distilled water. Then the hard material under the gums is scraped off, or scaled. The patient is often asked to irrigate regularly as part of their home hygiene ritual.
Sometimes those pathogens can be resistant to irrigation. In such cases, we turn to ozone therapy to kill them off.
Biological periodontal treatment is not deemed complete until no signs of the pathogenic bacteria are visible under the microscope.