A case report published in this month's Journal of Periodontology is the first reported instance that demonstrates how orthodontic regenerative combined therapy offered the best option for a complex situation...

Orthodontic and Regenerative Therapy Work Together To Solve Complex Clinical Problems: A Case Report

Periodontal and orthodontic treatment proved to be a success

CHICAGO – December 18, 2002 – Many times dentists and periodontists have patients with complex clinical problems that require the attention of multiple disciplines. A case report published in this month's Journal of Periodontology is the first reported case that demonstrates how orthodontic regenerative combined therapy offered the best option for a complex situation. Study Abstract *

Japanese clinicians were presented with a 49-year-old patient whose right maxillary premolar furcation had a bony defect with poor biologic width resulting from extensive subgingival caries. The condition originated about 15 years earlier when his canine was extracted resulting in epithelial cell down growth from the extraction socket to the furcation defect. And the patient was diagnosed with chronic periodontitis.

Knowing that furcation invasion treatment remains one of the most difficult clinical problems, this case presented Dr. Shigeki Ogihara, a private practitioner in Tokyo who is trained in periodontics, orthodontics and restorations, with a greater challenge.

“In this case, we saw comprehensive problems and could not solve them with providing orthodontic or regenerative therapy alone,” said Ogihara. “In fact, we could have caused other problems, such as further periodontal tissue break down. We were in a dilemma. Thus, we decided that combination therapy would result in predictable outcomes.”

After nine months of combined therapy, periodontal and orthodontic treatment proved to be a success and final restoration was completed.

“This is an example of how periodontal regenerative therapy appropriately sequenced with orthodontic treatment saved a tooth that would have otherwise been lost,” said Gordon Douglass, D.D.S., president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “It further demonstrates that regenerative periodontal tissues are strong enough to adapt to orthodontic movement.”

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3242.

* EDITOR'S NOTE: Representatives of the media may contact the AAP Public Affairs Department to receive a copy of the study Alveolar Bone Upper Growth in Furcation Area Using a Combined Orthodontic and Regenerative Therapy. Abstracts of Journal of Periodontology articles are available to the public online. Full-text of studies may be accessed by AAP members and Journal subscribers or purchased online for $20.

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