Noting that 500,000 people now have at least one dental implant, HCP Wellnet is seeking dentists to participate in a new research study into peri-implantitis.
“Implant dentists are studying a new pre-operative protocol that may keep dental implants secure,” said Leona Meditz, founder of HCP Wellnet, a network of healthcare professionals sponsoring the research.
Periodontal disease causes tooth loss by attacking the bone holding the tooth in place. Peri-implantitis is periodontal disease bacteria that attacks the bone surrounding the implanted tooth, causing implant loss.
HCP Wellnet cites a 10-year study published by the National Institute of Health finding a 28.6% incidence in peri-implantitis in patients with a history of periodontitis and 5.8% in patients who didn’t have a history of the disease.
If both periodontal disease and peri-implantitis share the same bone-destroying bacteria, then reducing the bacteria in the mouth before and after surgery should greatly reduce dental implant loss, Meditz reasons.
Meditz’s protocol includes laser-assisted periodontal therapy, scaling and root planing, and Clean Kiss Organic Oral Care Products with anti-inflammatory and bone support supplements. She also uses the 30 Second Smile toothbrush and Hyrdofloss oral irrigator.
Suhail Mati, DDS, president elect of the Midwest American Academy of Implant Dentists, agrees with Meditz’s hypothesis and says he has been using this new protocol with great success. He encouraged Meditz to present her findings at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry scientific meeting in October.
Ronald McGlennen, MD, founder of Oral DNA-Access Labs, will monitor the results. He developed the genetic testing used to quantify 11 pathogenic bacteria before and after the therapy used in the study.
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