Dentaltown march 2016 - (Page 114)

practice solutions Practice Solutions explores how specific products and services can be of use clinically or in practice management. Oral Biofilm Periodontal Treatment and Better Systemic Health by Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FACD Dr. Kurtzman is in private general practice in Silver Spring, Maryland and has lectured both nationally and internationally on the topics of restorative dentistry, endodontics, implant surgery and prosthetics, removable and fi xed prosthetics, and periodontics. Kurtzman has published more than 490 articles. He is on the editorial board of numerous dental publications and is a consultant for multiple dental companies. In recent years, what had been termed as "plaque" has been reclassified as "oral biofilm" as we learn more about this common substance. Research has shown that the sticky material found on the teeth-and more importantly, in the pockets-is not just a simple mix of bacteria, food particles and other accumulating debris. The biofilm has bacterial populations living within a self-produced extracellular matrix. Do we have a quorum? This oral biofilm is an aggregation of many types of microorganisms that form a colony on the tooth's surface and within the periodontal pocket.1 Within the biofilm is a cell-to-cell communication mechanism-known as quorum sensing-that synchronizes responses to the population cell density.5 This aggregation of bacteria working together as a community produces specific proteins and enzymes by way of quorum sensing and utilizes oral fluids as the vector for transmission.2 Additionally, these Fig. 1 biofilms have been shown to be resistant to antibiotics, as they are protected by the surrounding matrix.3,4 Groups of bacteria ca n coordinate behavior via quorum sensing, giving the biofi lm the ability to regulate numerous processes. These may include secreting specific enzymes that The bacteria in the oral biofilm located in the pocket may have the ability to turn the genes spread by "seeding" bacteria to form new colonies and on and off in other bacteria. This new infections, both intraorally and systemically. (©MSU Center for Biofilm Engineering. Used with permission.) provokes an immune response 114 MARCH 2016 // dentaltown.com from the host, which sends in white blood cells (WBC) to the site to kill the invading bacteria. This results in localized inflammation in the surrounding gingiva. The bacteria, via quorum sensing, also have the ability to confuse the defending WBC chemotactically by releasing chemicals into the environment, rendering the immune response ineffective. The enzymes within the WBC that were intended to kill the bacteria are now available to turn on the very tissue they were meant to protect. Dentally, this translates into periodontal bone loss, a deepening of the pockets, and associated inflammation. Beyond the mouth Increasing evidence demonstrates that patients with periodontal disease also have a much higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, etc.) and other systemic issues, than those individuals who take preventive measures to eliminate and control the biofilm in their mouths.6,7 The major cause of periodontal disease, oral biofilm, harbors many harmful strains of bacteria. During the localized inflammatory response in the pocket, these bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel to other areas of the body, exerting a distant systemic effect that has been linked to numerous diseases (Fig. 1). As these oral bacteria increase in number, they quickly create an intricate network of protective layers and channels. This biosystem develops out of more than 700 different species of bacteria http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown march 2016

On Dentaltown.com
HOWARD SPEAKS: Do Your Employees Feel Safe?
PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Wonder Women in Dentistry
Continuing Education Update
SECOND OPINION: Pedonomics and the Affordable Care Act: Emerging Economic Impacts That Can Propel Your Practice
Industry News
Rod’s Incredible Perio Protocol: The Remix!
Assistance with Provisional Fabrications
Transitioning with a DSO: How it Works
Function and Esthetics of Lithium Disilicate Restorations
What Happens if You’re Not There?
The Role of CBCT Imaging in Dentistry
Why Your Site Must Be Mobile-Ready in 2016
Make Lower Denture for Existing Upper Denture?
Product Profi le: AMD Lasers
Women in Dentistry: INTRODUCTION: FACING CHANGE
GIVING SURVIVORS A REASON TO SMILE
WOMEN IN THE BOARDROOM
“DEAR DENTIST...”
FROM REFUGEE TO RENAISSANCE WOMAN
IN THE VANGUARD
WHEN IT’S YOUR CIRCUS
CECILIA MESCAIN
Product Profi le: Schick
Implant Maintenance Protocol
The New Force in Dental Marketing
Product Profi le: OCO Biomedical
Practice Solutions: Perio Protect
Ad Index
Product Profile: Integrated Dental Systems
New Products
You Should Know: Kallpod Health
Poll
CONTINUING EDUCATION: An Observation on the Superiority of Articaine versus Lidocaine in Dental Anesthesia
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown march 2016