Periodontal Disease with a Patient Experiencing Vision Impairment

Posted on March 11, 2022March 9, 2022 by Monica Vigon DMD

Challenge: Patient experiencing recent vision impairment presented as Stage III Grade B, active generalized periodontal disease with localized severe periodontal disease in the maxillary anterior area. Background: Age: 36 Sex: M Medical History: Patient reports recent vision impairment with the right eye. Under the care of the ophthalmologist, a diagnosis has not been found. No other systemic diseases or conditions reported. Last Dental Exam: Within 3 years Chi...

Oral Health Contributing to Health Issues with Sarah Poteet DDS, PA

Posted on February 25, 2022May 31, 2022 by Sarah Poteet DDS PA

Challenge: Due to dental anxiety, specifically the fear of being overwhelmed with dental problems, the patient finally took the necessary steps to address her chief complaint, “My gums are bleeding, and my teeth are sensitive. I want a more holistic approach to dental care. I feel like my mouth is contributing to my health issues.” Background: Age: 37 Sex: Female Medical History: Severe eczema since childhood, long term topical and systemic steroid for skin has resulted in steroid...

Classic Periodontal Disease after COVID with Brenda Sullivan RDH

Posted on January 28, 2022January 21, 2022 by Brenda Sullivan RDH

Challenge: Patients are avoiding routine dental visits due to fear of contracting COVID. This patient had missed several hygiene appointments during the pandemic. Our goal was to re-establish health and increase homecare to help this patient’s general immunity. Background: This case study involves an 84-year-old male with a history of scaling and root planing, who before this assessment was in good periodontal health. His blood pressure was 114/72 and his pulse 83. He has a history of cancer,...

Case Study: Class III Moderate Periodontitis with Halitosis

Posted on November 26, 2021November 22, 2021 by Jamie Griggs RDH

Background: The patient is a 61-year-old male who presented with concerns of halitosis. The home care routine consisted of daily tooth brushing and inconsistent flossing. Following the periodontal assessment, the patient was classified as Class III generalized periodontitis with localized Class IV due to pocket depth measurements, heavy bleeding on probing with inflamed, bulbous, and erythematous tissue. The patient has a history of periodontal therapy and has maintained a 3-month recare int...

Pregnancy & Periodontal Inflammation: Pathogens or Hormones?

Posted on November 19, 2021November 18, 2021 by Gabby Finn RDH

Challenge: Pregnant, periodontal maintenance patient appointed with increasing periodontal measurements over the last two periodontal maintenance appointments. The goal of testing is to establish the cause for the increase of inflammation. Background: My 44-year-old periodontal maintenance patient with a regular recall and excellent home care consisting of electric toothbrushing 2 times per day, nightly flossing, and use of Waterpik™ 2 times per day presented for a maintenance appointment...

How Do You Speak Testing? With Donna Shook RDH

Posted on October 29, 2021October 21, 2021 by Donna Shook RDH

Patient Bio: New patient is a 66-year-old female. Per her records, her last active periodontal therapy was over 10 years ago. Her previous dentist just retired, and she is looking for a new dental home. Her home care consists of brushing twice a day with occasional flossing. The patient started smoking at age 18 and currently smokes 1 pack per day. She has expressed an interest in quitting. Medical history includes osteoporosis. How would you introduce therapy including MyPe...

Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis – Controlling Two Birds with One Stone?

Posted on September 10, 2021September 9, 2021 by Pete Williams

Challenge: Our case study represents an example of the emerging evidence from interventional and, more recently, animal studies showing how seemingly unrelated diseases such as periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis can be related through similar genetic, biological, and clinically consistent mechanisms.1,2,3,4 Background: The initial medical assessment for a 57-year-old female diagnosed with palindromic rheumatoid arthritis was conducted at our functional medicine clinic....

How to Share a Case Study

Posted on August 13, 2021August 13, 2021 by Diane Larson RDH, BSDH

An article written by Crowe, Cresswell et al. states a case study is a research approach that is used to generate an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context.1 Periodontal disease fits this definition because it is a complex issue with real-life context. Personally, case study presentations have been a huge benefit in establishing my approach to periodontal therapy. What I learned in school is that the one size fits all approach should work, however I’...

Classic Periodontal Disease

Posted on July 16, 2021July 9, 2021 by Brenda Sullivan RDH

Challenge: A new patient with poor home care and lack of dental attention presented wanting whiter teeth along with a cleaning. Background: A male 40-year-old new patient whose last dental appointment was 3/8/2017 presents with adult chronic periodontal disease, severe wear on anterior teeth and decay on #19. The patient appears generally healthy (BP 118/79) with no medical conditions or medications. There is a suspicion of sleep disordered breathing along with an anterior tongue tie. Solu...

The Co-management of an Esophageal Cancer Survivor

Posted on April 16, 2021May 20, 2021 by Camille Luke RDH MSDH

Background: The patient is a 75-year-old female with a history of esophageal cancer in 2013. The origin of the cancer was determined to be lichen planus. Surgical removal of the lesion occurred, and no reconstructive surgery was needed. However, post-surgery to present date, the patient experiences severe acid reflux and sleeps with her head elevated. She has great home dental care and follows a 3-month periodontal maintenance. During the head and neck exam, no significant findings were disc...