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For Periodontists - Dentists - Dental Hygienists

Periodontal diseases are now recognized as infections initiated by bacteria accumulating around teeth and exacerbated by the host response to prolonged bacterial attack. A variety of responses are elicited depending on: extent of the challenge; type or quality of bacteria; quantity of bacteria; and ability of the host to respond. A successful defense by the host can produce a highly localized or contained inflammatory response in the form of gingivitis. An unsuccessful defense can lead to a more pronounced localized destruction of teeth in the form of periodontal disease. Failure to localize this challenge can also contribute to systemic conditions such as coronary heart disease, pre-mature delivery and low birth weight.

Discussions will focus on research that has shown how both systemic and local antibiotic usage can affect periodontal disease, and on several FDA approved local delivery systems. Bacterial causes of periodontal disease, successful and unsuccessful host response, methods of distinguishing non-specific vs. specific bacteria implicated in disease and antimicrobial approaches to treatment of disease will also be covered.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Identify bacteria that colonize specific ecological niches in the oral cavity and how they contribute to different forms of disease.

Understand the host response to the various causative agents.

Distinguish between periodontal diseases caused by specific members of bacterial flora.

Use currently available clinical skills to identify specific forms of disease.

Understand which therapy is appropriate for which type of disease.

Utilize the domain approach to therapy as an adjunct to the antimicrobial approach to therapy.

Incorporate use of local delivery and antiseptic mouth rinses into everyday patient management.

Understand current approaches to prophylactic antimicrobial therapy.