Targeted Therapy
How oral pathology should be treated mainly depends on the timing of the finding, i.e. the diagnostic. It also depends on the tools and technologies available.
Not many tools are specific to early stages pathologies (ICON from DMG and CURODONT ™ Repair are two example of early stage enamel treatments) but rather technologies that can be used at different stages (Diode laser or Vector Paro (Duerr Dental) can be used to treat 6 mm pockets or gingivitis). Even though we could be using technologies we already have for early stage disease, we tend to reserve them for advanced cases.
In other words, our patients only become eligible for treatment when they are sick enough.
Could this be because dentists think patients will only agree to treatment when they have no other choice ?
Although this might be true for some patients, the majority respond highly favorable to preventive or early treatment when given the choice.
Aside from dealing with the consequences of oral diseases for example cavities, inflammation or periodontal pockets, there is another dimension to treatment: targeting the causes.
Although dental caries or periodontitis are caused by bacteria, it was recently discovered that they are in fact caused by a global shift in the microbial community (microbiota), known as dysbiosis.
Treating the consequences of a disease is fine, but done on its own it increases the risk of the pathology coming back. Reestablishing protective bacterial equilibrium or symbiosis is essential for long term results.
Life style change, hygiene coaching and probiotics use are powerful tools that can be used for more effective treatment strategies.
What are probiotics, their actions, purposes and limitations ?
How does lifestyle affect oral health ?
What is the best and fastest way to teach our patients optimum oral hygiene ?
These are some of the questions that will be answered during our seminars and courses. You will also learn different treatment protocols for early stage pathologies and about motivational tools that can be used to help patients understand the importance of early and preventative treatments.