Oral-Systemic

Revolutionizing Periodontal Disease Screening and Treatment with OFC and Alert 2™ Diagnostics

Posted on by Robert Benavides DDS
In the evolving field of dental diagnostics, early detection is the key to effective management of periodontal disease. One of the latest advances in our practice is the utilization of OFC (Oral Fitness Check) by DentoGnostics, a groundbreaking tool that allows us to screen for active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8). The presence of aMMP-8 signals ongoing collagen breakdown, providing valuable insight into the health of the periodontal tissues. When detected, this makes our providers cur...
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MyoMentor®: Mouth Breathing the Missing Piece

Posted on by Jennifer Rooney, BSDH
Continuous learning is essential, especially in healthcare. Although I have been a hygienist for over 30 years, it wasn’t until two and a half years ago that my understanding of how to best help patients and colleagues drastically changed—much like it did when I was first introduced to OralDNA® Labs in 2009. Research has long shown the strong connection between oral health and overall body health, especially through the control of oral bacterial biofilm. However, one challenging aspect is...
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Dr. Benavides: “Did We Overtreat: The Value of Proactive Intervention for the Periodontal Patient.”

Posted on by Robert Benavides DDS
Disambiguating between Plaque-Induced Gingivitis and Stage II Periodontitis is an easy diagnostic feat. The difficulty increases when we attempt to finalize a diagnosis between Gingivitis and Early-Onset Periodontitis. As a reminder, according to The American Academy of Periodontology, it takes 15% of radiographic bone loss (RBL) for our patients to land at Stage I Periodontitis. The goal of this article is to present you with two cases that could be interpreted as borderline. Our goa...
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Join Us at the Integrative Medicine for Mental Health (IMMH) Conference 2024: A Must-Attend Event

Posted on by Taylor Oltman
Why Attend IMMH 2024? The IMMH Conference is renowned for its in-depth exploration of integrative medicine and its profound impact on mental health. This event is designed to provide groundbreaking insights into personalized and precision approaches that address the root causes of mental health disorders. Esteemed experts such as Dr. Robert Lustig, Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Kat Toups, Dr. Stephen Porges, and many others will share their expertise at this year's conference, covering a wide rang...
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Diagnostic Dialogues with Dr. Neusha Najafi DDS

Posted on by Dr. Neusha Najafi
  Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you were introduced to OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Neusha Najafi DDS: Unfortunately, I was first introduced to OralDNA at a very low point in my life. I had just suffered a late term loss at 24 weeks pregnancy called PPROM. I was told that my condition was due to an infection that caused my membrane to rupture prematurely. Up until that point, I had had zero complications in my pregnancy. The doctors said the cause of the infection was unknown and th...
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The Time Is Now: Halftime

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
  “Timing is everything” was made popular by none other than the bard himself, William Shakespeare in “Julius Caesar.”  How apropos! Half the year is over.  Now is the perfect time to step back and reassess.  It’s also the perfect time to evaluate new opportunities. The issue of cognitive decline is front and center in the public’s eyes for obvious reasons.  I’m sure sales of Prevagen® have skyrocketed.  That’s why NOW is the time to discuss this with your patients and referral sour...
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Microbiome Biohacking: Dr. Debbie Ozment Interviews Dr. Ron McGlennen

Posted on by Abby McMillan
Dr. Debbie Ozment has been a private practice dentist since 1985 and has an extensive wealth of knowledge to share. She attended dental school at Oklahoma University College of Dentistry, where she later served as adjunct faculty for seven years. Dr. Ozment also holds a master’s degree in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and is a Diplomat with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She is a Nationally Board-Certified He...
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How do you speak Dementia/Brain Health and Periodontal Disease with your patients?

Posted on by Steven Ritzi DDS
Dr. McGlennen: Concerning dementia and brain health, recent medical studies point to poor oral health, and high levels of the bacteria in our gums with the increased risk to develop Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia1-3. Specifically, there is now evidence of the oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), present in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid and it may be involved with the production of the abnormal proteins that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease4.  Additionally, the d...
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Guided Biofilm Therapy and the Systemic Link

Posted on by Kendra Fox RDH
How many times have you asked your patients if their medical history has changed, and their response is, “It has changed, but it has nothing to do with dentistry”? How about the patient I saw last month for her prophy, who said “No” when I asked her for any changes in her medical history and she is wearing a hospital wrist band due to the heart condition she was just treated for? There is an abundance of evidence from scholarly articles linking oral health to systemic health.1 Its effect on one ...
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A Dental Detective Story – When a 102% Surge in Bacterial Load After Scaling Unveils a Horizontal Transmission Tale

Posted on by Robert Benavides DDS
In the world of healthcare, understanding the root cause of health issues is paramount to providing effective treatment. This principle was put to the test in a fascinating case that highlighted the importance of considering both clinical and personal factors in patient care. The case involved an unexpected 102% increase in bacterial load within a patient's mouth, despite having undergone scaling, irrigation, and decontamination—a procedural-set known to significantly reduce bacterial load. ...
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