For those who might be concerned about gum disease, I just answered this question from Ron: QUESTION: My dentist tells me that I have deep pockets after probing my gums. He wants to attack bacteria with saliva test. You know anything about it? My saliva is analyzed and then I get an antibiotic to fight the bacteria, then he uses the laser. Saliva test is $200. Is it a good test? Wont bacteria return once Im through with antibiotic? Dont I got to take antibiotic for the rest of my life? Answer: Deep pockets is not good. If deep pockets have been confirmed, the usual treatment deep scaling and root planing under local anesthetic, using chlorhexidine irrigation. Then instructions and coaching for your self-care at home (you have to do your homework). Then follow-up examination in the office after 6 weeks of healling. At the followup visit we measure the spaces between your gums and teeth again. If you are healed, we clean your teeth again, coach you on how to improve your home care, if needed, then set a recare appointment for 3 months. If your gums still have areas of pocketing, we usually clean these areas out individually, then place Arestin (tiny antibiotic pellets) into the resistant areas. This antibiotic improves your chances of gum healing without further surgery. We then have you return in 3 months to measure results. If healed, we have you return every 3 months for cleanings and reviews. If you are still not healed, we will refer you to a Periodontist (gum specialist). I have not yet used the saliva test for gum disease. There are too many bacteria in your saliva that will be detected. This causes more confusion than clarity. Many years ago, I sampled and cultured the bacteria in periodontal pockets. I do not do this anymore as your disease is easily measured with a periodontal probe, and treated with scaling and root planing. Well over 90% of our patients are cured using these methods. Youll notice that I never once mentioned antibiotics or lasers. This is because most dentists and Periodontists do not use lasers. We have found that lasers are no more effective in treating gum disease than the methods I mentioned. The use of prescribed antibiotics is usually limited to those patients who may need them to protect their heart (or other organs) from being infected by the bacteria in gum disease. Gums almost always heal when the debris and calcium deposits are removed from between the gums and teeth.
Posted on: Sun, 11 May 2014 14:43:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015