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Home > How We Are Different > You Benefit From the
Latest Technology > The Very Latest Technology Can Keep Your
Bones, Gums, and Teeth Healthy
You've never heard of it, because currently for every 2,600 dentists, on average only ONE has this technology! And we're one of the few practices in the entire American Northwest to have it.
The very latest research shows that your mouth is truly the gateway to the rest of your body. DNA testing allows us to catch dental problems as early as possible, and also to customize treatments for YOUR specific situation. That means we can better prevent tooth loss, and provide more effective therapy for gum and bone problems. Ultimately, we're after a higher level of whole body health for you as a member of our practice.
We gently rub a swab inside your cheek. We then analyze it, using molecular technology to determine your susceptibility related to inflammation. If the test shows higher reactivity in your DNA tissue related to inflammation, you are at an elevated risk for tooth loss. We can then tailor your preventive care accordingly.
We customize your individual tooth loss prevention plan to give you the best chance of success to keep your teeth. If you have dental implants, it helps us to fine-tune our treatment and keep your dental implants healthy. Finally, this information helps our recommendations to you regarding tooth repair and tooth replacement.
For peace of mind, you should know that your results are confidential and we never share them with any insurance company or with any centralized health database.
Periodontal disease (gum and bone infections) is more then "just a little bit of bleeding." These infections create chronic inflammation. Inflammation is actually a helpful thing when we are healing-but it's a very bad thing when chronically present in the body such as around the teeth.
Not only is chronic inflammation one of the culprits behind tooth loss but inflamed gum tissue acts like an "invisible" open wound. It allows thousands of bacteria to pour into your blood stream through your gums. If you measured the total surface area of the wound size in your mouth when gum tissue is inflamed it could be about the size of a standard envelope!
The bacteria invading your body then cause a chain reaction of more inflammation and damage in distant areas far beyond the gums. It's no wonder that some of the most knowledgeable longevity experts in medicine state that if you want to live the longest lifespan possible, take very good care of your dental health.
You may already know the side effects of tooth loss: facial sagging, restrictions in foods you can eat, and social problems, not to mention the hassle and embarrassment of dentures. People used to think that tooth loss was only that, and was isolated from other medical problems. Now we know that the inflammation leading to tooth loss also affects other organ systems in your body. Some of the consequences include:
- three times the risk for heart-related problems;
- increased risk for artery blockage that leads to stroke (brain attack);
- more difficulty in controlling diabetic sugar levels;
- a variety of problems for pregnant women;
- links to Alzheimer's; and
- even pancreatic cancer.
If you have pre-existing chronic gum and bone problems, this test allows us to fine-tune your long-term dental maintenance for tooth-loss prevention.
When disease is active and requires more intense therapy, we can run a second molecular test. It will tell us which specific medicine will be the most effective to target, fight, and eliminate the offending bacteria. This antibiotic customizing test may be the "missing link" for a better result from your gum therapy. It also allows you to make dental visits less frequently, and thus save money.
It can actually help other members of your family, too. If you are found to have highly active bacterial infections, it will be important that your immediate family members get tested: They will likely have the same bacteria in their mouth. In addition, even if you are successfully treated, they can re-infect you if they're not tested and treated.
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