Dental Hygiene Student Helps Manage Periodontal Disease Through MyPerioPath^® Testing

The Challenge:

To reduce periodontal pathogens in the oral cavity that are contributing to severe periodontal inflammation and tissue sensitivity.

The Background:

• Age: 33
• Sex: F
• Medical History: History and treatment for ovarian cancer.
• Home Care: Brushing 1x/day and infrequent flossing.
• Periodontal Assessment: Class 1, Stage B with extreme bleeding.

The Solution:

• Date of MyPerioPath(R) (Pre-Therapy) Test: 1/18/2022
• Periodontal therapy: 4 appointments of periodontal debridement with ultrasonics, hand instrumentation, and laser-assisted bacterial reduction therapy.
• Home Care: Proper toothbrushing techniques for twice a day and flossing once a day.

The Result:

A significant decrease in bleeding upon probing was noted already at the first few appointments during treatment. After the patient had received all treatments needed to finish her periodontal therapy, it was riveting to see such drastic improvement. Bleeding upon probing was greatly reduced! The previously inflamed and irritated gingiva was flat and healthy. The patient stated that she has been making sure to brush properly twice daily and floss more frequently. Although it is impossible to remove all bacteria from the mouth, the goal is to find a balance point where the pathogens aren’t causing harm. From the decrease, and in some areas the absence of any clinical signs, we are heading in the right direction to a much healthier overall oral environment.

In summary, it would be beneficial to perform a post-treatment MyPerioPath^® analysis along with consistent periodontal maintenance visits for this patient. Overall, this experience with OralDNA^® Labs salivary testing was very eye-opening and a fantastic learning opportunity. I hope to be able to use this amazing resource throughout my dental hygiene career. It is a great way to understand and confirm potential causes of oral disease and help to create the best treatment plans for patients.

About the Author:

Andrea Farago graduated from Colorado Northwestern Community College in 2022.

Dental hygiene has always interested her since she was young. Developing personal relationships through real hands-on contact while educating on the importance of good oral health and inspiring them to better their home-care habits will certainly be her passion. During her formal education, she enjoyed participating in community programs and volunteer opportunities planned by the school’s SADHA program.

Andrea has been blessed with a culturally diverse childhood. Originally born in Budapest, Hungary, where most of her family lives, to eleven years in Saudi Arabia to eventually finish her primary education in Bailey, Colorado, a mountain town close to Denver. This allowed her opportunities to travel, experience different cultures and experiences. Traveling the world is a life goal and she plans to share her dental hygiene knowledge everywhere she finds herself.

In her free time, she enjoys doing artsy activities, including drawing, painting, and sculpting. She loves spending time with my friends and family and going on fun adventures with the people she loves.