The Periodontal-Coronary Artery Disease Connection

For some reason we have been programmed to think of our mouth as isolated from the rest of our body.  People, who may otherwise be health conscious, might not necessarily place the same priority of care on their dental health, and that’s a mistake.  The mouth is obviously part of the body, and the disease that exists in the mouth is affecting the rest of our body, and the disease that is present elsewhere in our body may be reflected in the mouth.

The original research on the oral-systemic health connection related to the connection of gum disease to heart disease.  Some researchers have suggested that gum disease may contribute to heart disease because bacteria from infected gums can dislodge, enter the bloodstream, attach to blood vessels, and increase clot formation.  

It has also been suggested that inflammation caused by gum disease may also trigger clot formation.  Clots decrease blood flow to the heart, thereby causing an elevation in blood pressure and increasing the risk of a heart attack.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with periodontal disease (gum disease) are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (heart disease).  One study found that the presence of common mouth problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels.

When patients present with gum disease and have blood tests performed to determine the degree of inflammation present in the system, those readings are high.  However, after the gum disease is treated and is under control, the inflammation markers shown in blood tests is greatly reduced.  When patients are being treated for heart disease and blood tests reveal high levels of inflammation, there is a decrease in these levels after successful treatment of gum disease.

This information, and more on this subject, presents a wake-up call to the people in our population who are victims of the false belief that dental and overall health aren’t connected.  We hope it sheds light on the importance of regular dental checkups which include evaluations for periodontal disease, and the subsequent treatment of it.  

If you have not seen a dentist in a few years, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Orest Komarnyckyj at (602) 266-3430 or DrK@azimplantdentist.com (or your general dentist) for an update on your oral health.  Your overall health depends on it!

You may also visit our website at: http://www.azimplantdentist.com

Dental Care Safe for Pregnant Women

Dental cleanings and X-rays are safe for pregnant women, a U.S. obstetrician/gynecologist group says.

The group also advised ob-gyns to perform routine dental health assessments at women’s first prenatal visit and to encourage their patients to see a dentist during pregnancy.

“These new recommendations address the questions and concerns that many ob-gyns, dentists and our patients have about whether it is safe to have dental work during pregnancy,” Dr. Diana Cheng, vice chairwoman of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women, said in a college news release.

Dental health problems are associated with other diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and respiratory infections.

“We want ob-gyns to routinely counsel all of their patients, including pregnant women, about the importance of oral health to their overall health,” Cheng said.

The college noted that 35 percent of all women say they haven’t seen a dentist in the past year and about 40 percent of pregnant women in the United States have cavities or gum disease. Physical changes caused by pregnancy can cause changes in teeth and gums. Dental problems during pregnancy are most common among black women, smokers and women on public assistance.

“We can all reassure our patients that routine teeth cleanings, dental X-rays and local anesthesia are safe during pregnancy,” Cheng said. “Pregnancy is not a reason to delay root canals or filling cavities if they are needed because putting off treatment may lead to further complications.”

Among the potential benefits of good dental health during pregnancy is that it may decrease the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria from mother to baby, which can help reduce the child’s future risk of cavities.

news.health.com

CDC: Half of American Adults Have Periodontal Disease

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show high prevalence of periodontal disease in the U.S. population; American Academy of Periodontology encourages yearly comprehensive periodontal evaluations to assess for disease.

perio.org

What is Perioscopy?

Perioscopy: A New Minimally-Invasive Option

Traditionally, the more aggressive treatment option for people suffering from the advanced stages of periodontal disease was surgery.

Now, there is a new procedure called Perioscopy which features miniaturized digital video technology.  This enables Dr. Komarnyckyj and our hygienist to assess and treat areas below the gumline without the discomfort and inconvenience of pulling back the gum tissue and using sutures.   Dental Implants & Periodontology of Arizona is one of the few offices in Arizona to offer this advanced technology.

For the first time, using the dental endoscope we can see magnified details of tooth anatomy and deposits below the gumline to diagnose and treat periodontal disease in a minimally invasive way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Perioscopy?

Perioscopy is a procedure that uses a miniature dental endoscope with advanced video, lighting and magnification technology that enables us to assess and treat areas below the gumline with a minimally-invasive procedure using no sutures.

2. How does the dental endoscope work?

A miniature camera is attached to a tiny probe and then gently placed below the gumline. The images are simultaneously displayed on a chairside video screen for your clinician and you to see. The dental endoscope provides up to 48 times magnification, disclosing microscopic details under the gums that, before the advent of this technology, might easily be missed.

3. What are the advantages of Perioscopy?

Perioscopy allows your clinician to accurately and effectively treat periodontal and other dental conditions which might otherwise go undetected.  Perioscopy is a great new tool in the preservation of natural teeth and the fight against periodontal disease that might otherwise undermine your oral health and overall well-being.  Perioscopy is especially effective in the "esthetic zone" -  the teeth you see when you smile.

4. Is Perioscopy right for me?

If you have one or more deep pockets more than 5mm deep, then you may be a candidate for Perioscopy. The best way to determine the ideal treatment for you is to contact our office today to schedule your free, no obligation examination.

5. Can surgery be avoided with Perioscopy?

In many cases, the need for surgery can be avoided. Gum surgery is a frequently used therapy for patients with advanced perodontitis. Now, Perioscopy offers another option which can be used to treat you comfortably and effectively without the apprehensiveness and discomfort of surgery. Dr. Komarnyckyj will outline your treatment options, and together you can decide which option works best for you.

6. How long does Perioscopy take?

Because of the intricate, clinical nature of Perioscopy, procedures tend to take longer than a standard maintenance appointment.

7. Is Perioscopy expensive?

The fee for perioscopy treatment in a particular area is usually less than the fee for surgery in that area. Patients frequently report that Perioscopy was definitely a worthwhile investment and helped them to save their natural teeth.

8. Does it hurt?

Generally, there is very little, if any, discomfort during a Perioscopy appointment. Your clinician is committed to taking the appropriate steps to ensure your comfort.

Dental Implants: Peri-Implant Diseases & Inflammatory Conditions

Peri-implant diseases are inflammatory conditions affecting the soft and hard gum tissues around dental implants. Similar to a natural tooth, bacteria can build up on the base of the implant, below the gum line. Over time, the bacteria irritate the gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed, damaging the tissue and if not caught early, causing the bone structure below the implant to deteriorate. Peri-implant diseases are classified into two categories.
In peri-implant mucositis, gum inflammation is found only around the soft tissues of the dental implant, with no signs of bone loss. Generally peri-implant mucositis is a precursor to peri-implantitis. Evidence suggests that peri-implant mucositis may be successfully treated and is reversible if caught early
In peri-implantitis, gum inflammation is found around the soft tissue and there is deterioration in the bone supporting the dental implant. Peri-implantitis usually requires surgical treatment.	Peri-implant mucositis
	Peri-implantitis
Signs of peri-implant diseases are similar to symptoms of gum disease: red or tender gums around the implants, or bleeding when brushing. And just like your natural teeth, implants require regular tooth brushing and flossing and regular check-ups from a dental professional. Other risks factors for developing peri-implant disease include previous periodontal disease diagnosis, poor plaque control, smoking, and diabetes. It is essential to routinely monitor dental implants as part of a comprehensive periodontal evaluation. The up side to dental implants is they function just like your natural tooth. The down side is, they are capable of becoming diseased just like a natural tooth. With a proper oral health routine, your dental implant can last a lifetime. perio.org

An Evolutionary Compromise for Long Tooth Preservation

 

 

 

 

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, have conducted stress analyses on gorilla teeth of differing wear stages. Their findings show that different features of the occlusal surface antagonize tensile stresses in the tooth to tooth contact during the chewing process. They further show that tooth wear, with its loss of dental tissue and reduction of occlusal relief decreases tensile stresses in the tooth. The result, however, is that food processing becomes less effective. Thus, when the condition of the occlusal surface changes during an individual's lifetime due to tooth wear, the biomechanical requirements on the existing dental material change as well -- an evolutionary compromise for longer tooth preservation.

First, the researchers created 3D digital models of three gorilla lower second molars differing in wear stages. In a second step they applied a Software tool (Occlusal Fingerprint Analyser), developed in the Senckenberg Research Institute, to precisely determine tooth to tooth contacts. They then used an engineering approach, finite element analysis (FEA), to evaluate whether some dental traits usually found in hominin and extant great ape molars have important biomechanical implications.

The results show that in unworn and slightly worn molars (with a well-formed occlusal relief that is most effective for processing food) tensile stresses concentrate in the grooves of the occlusal surface. In such a condition, the different crests of a molar carry out important biomechanical functions, for example by reinforcing the crown against stresses that occur during the chewing process. Due to a loss of tooth tissue and a reduction of the occlusal relief the functionality of these crests diminishes during an individual's lifetime. However, this reduced functionality of the crests in worn teeth is counterbalanced by an increase in contact areas during tooth to tooth contacts, which ultimately contributes to a dispersion of the forces that affect the occlusal surface.

 

This suggests that the wear process might have a crucial influence in the evolution and structural adaptation of molars, enabling to endure bite forces and to reduce tooth failure throughout the lifetime of an individual. "It seems that we observe an evolutionary compromise for long tooth preservation. Even though worn teeth are not as efficient, they still fulfill their task. This would not be the case if they were lost prematurely," says Stefano Benazzi of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. He adds: "Tooth evolution and dental biomechanics can only be understood if we further investigate tooth function in respect to the dynamic changes of tooth structures during the lifespan of individuals."

"The results have strong implications for understanding the functional biomechanics of dental traits, for deciphering the evolutionary trend of our masticatory apparatus and might have important implications in modern dentistry for improving dental treatments," says Jean-Jacques Hublin, director of the Department of Human Evolution at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

 

sciencedaily.com

What is Periodontal Disease?

What is Periodontal Disease?

The word "periodontal" literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal Disease (also known as "gum disease", "pyorrhea" or "periodontal infection") is an ongoing bacterial infection in the gums and bone around your teeth. This infection leads to an inflammation under the gums. If it isn't treated, the inflammation can destroy the bone around your teeth resulting in tooth loss.  Periodontal infection is the cause of 75% of all adult tooth loss.
More importantly, research has associated periodontal infection to several serious medical problems; including heart disease, diabetes and stroke. As ongoing research continues to define how periodontal disease is associated with these and other health problems, good oral health is essential. Good periodontal health is a key component of a healthy body.

How Does An "Ongoing Infection" Work?

When you were a child, did you ever get a bad scrape that became red and swollen? That was caused by bacteria that got under your skin. The area became infected and inflamed. It may have lasted for days or weeks, but eventually the inflammation went away. The inflammation disappeared when your immune system conquered the bacteria and the infection healed.

With an ONGOING infection, your immune system never wins the battle and the infection keeps growing and the inflammation never goes away. Periodontal disease is an ongoing infection in the pockets around your teeth. Your immune system cannot conquer the bacteria, and without treatment, it will get worse.

What Can Cause a "Burst" of Infection Activity?

People with periodontal disease have low resistance to periodontal bacteria. This causes an ongoing gum infection that grows in "bursts" of activity. Each time it grows, more support for your teeth is lost. Some factors that can cause a "burst" of activity are:

1. Poor oral hygiene
2. Dental plaque
3. Smoking
4. Genetic factors
5. Stress or tension
6. Diet
7. Age
8. Illness

Getting Periodontal Infection Treated Right Away

When your infection has a burst of activity, or when there are signs that this is about to occur, it is very importatnt that you contact us without delay to schedule a free comprehensive evaluation.  Dr. Komarnyckyj will be able to determine the treatment necessary to control your periodontal infection and set you on a path toward excellent oral health.

Symptoms of Periodontal Infection

Periodontal infection is usually painless until it reaches an advanced stage. However, there are some symptoms which can indicate the presence of periodontal infection.
These include:

1. Red or swollen gums
2. Bleeding when brushing (pink toothbrush), or at other times
3. Aching, itchy, sore or tender gums
4. Receding gums (teeth beginning to look longer)
5. Pus between your teeth and gums when you press down on the gums
6. Bad breath
7. Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
8. Any change in the fit of partial dentures
9. Loose, separating or protruding teeth
10. Spaces between teeth

If you notice any of the above warning signs of periodontal infection, please contact our office at (602) 266-3430 for a free periodontal examination.


Important Note: Your gums can look and feel quite normal and yet deep pockets of periodontal infection can still be present. To be certain about any periodontal disease, have Dr. Komarnyckyj examine you for signs of infection.