By Donald Janoff, BDS, DDS, PhD (ABD), MBA
Recent advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have made a dramatic clinical impact in the field of periodontics. Periodontics refers to a number of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Saving gum-tissue-growing bone around the teeth and implants is a major goal of today’s medical therapies. If periodontal disease is untreated, it can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine integrate bioengineering, basic biologic and cellular research, (especially with stem cells), along with utilization of collagen, bone, and even 3-D printing — all to replace, rejuvenate, or regenerate lost or diseased tissue.
From numerous studies on regenerative therapies, periodontics has gleaned four protocols for the oral cavity:
- Regeneration of dental pulp
- Stem cells for bone grafts
- Collagen membranes to grow human soft tissue or accelerate wound healing
- Isolation of blood-borne molecules used to accelerate mineralization of bone grafts and increase wound healing. There have not been any successful results to grow teeth that can be transferred into humans, but tissue banks have been started to save teeth.
The periodontal specialty, unlike oral surgery, is dedicated to analysis and saving the dentition, which is the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. Most periodontal issues can be prevented or controlled by early detection, routine exams, and elimination of risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and poor nutrition. The periodontist, general dentist and hygienist work as a team dedicated to retaining and maintaining your oral health.
Your dentist may recommend an independent exam by a periodontist or you may seek this out yourself, if you have concerns specific to periodontal issues. A periodontist will examine seven basic variables or parameters including TMJ, gum pocket depth, gum recession, bone loss, occlusion (bite), medical and periodontal risks, and prognosis of each tooth. The periodontist will explain all the treatment options and first will stress nonsurgical care with intensified oral hygiene. Unequivocally, prevention is better than even the best and most advanced treatment.
In today’s mobile society and advancing technical medical and dental environment, the periodontist has at his disposal many protocols to save and stabilize your teeth, thus creating an ideal smile and bite. These include:
- 3-D imaging and detailed examination
- Sinus lifts, ridge augmentation, dental implants, perio-prosthetic protocols
- Laser periodontal therapy and biopsy
- Pain management including intravenous sedation and other anxiety control techniques
- Treatment plan, coordination and communication with your regular dentist
If surgery is recommended, the contemporary periodontist transforms into the periodontal surgeon. Surgery may include techniques such as CT scans and surgical guides, IV sedation for tooth extraction, osseous surgery, bone grafts, membranes, laser therapy, dental implants, oral plastic surgery with gum grafts, and placement of prosthetic teeth the same day of surgery.
These techniques require highly sophisticated instruments and specialized training. More importantly communication and long-term treatment plans with the team dentist, hygienist, and periodontist is imperative to facilitate the smooth non-surgical and surgical phase for oral rehabilitation.
For more information, you may contact Donald E. Janoff, Center for Periodontics, Dental Implants, and Dentoalveolar Surgery, at 309-808-3329 or online at www.CentralIllinoisPeriodontists.com. His Bloomington office is located at 2103 E. Washington St., Suite 2G. You may also contact him at his Champaign location, 217-352-3252.
Dr. Janoff has over 30 years experience along with national and international certification in the most advanced periodontal procedures and treatments. His mission is to create, rejuvenate, and revitalize your well being through oral health and a team of dentists.