Product Evaluation

PRODUCT REVIEW UPDATE
PERIO PROTECT
DPS checks in with dentists who rely on the Perio Protect Method to help patients battle periodontal disease

Perio Protect Method Evaluation

 A non-invasive, individualized treatment plan to effectively fight bacteria that cause gum disease

No one likes to be the bearer of bad news, but as a dentist, sometimes you need to deliver information that patients do not necessarily want to hear. When patients are first diagnosed with periodontal disease, they are not going to be thrilled, but they might receive the news a little better knowing that there is a convenient way to treat the problem.

As part of his strategy to perform non-invasive dentistry when possible, Stephen Gordon, DDS, adopted the Perio Protect Method in 2008, and it fits perfectly into his practice’s game plan. With the doctor-prescribed system, he has successfully treated numerous patients suffering from periodontal disease, essentially saving many of them from undergoing periodontal surgery. “Perio Protect is a non-surgical, daily at-home treatment that successfully and significantly reduces pathogenic organisms to allow the body to heal,” Dr. Gordon explained. “Patients are typically very happy with the results of this wonderful technique.”

The Methodology

With a comprehensive treatment approach, the Perio Protect Method manages biofilms associated with gingivitis and periodontitis. An individualized treatment plan is created for each patient, which typically combines mechanical debridement or laser-assisted removal of biofilms with tray delivery of prescribed medication into periodontal pockets. Using custom-fitted Perio Trays that patients wear at home, a 1.7% concentration of hydrogen peroxide is delivered directly into periodontal pockets to fight disease-causing bacteria.

Dr. Tanya Brown calls Perio Protect “a great way for patients to treat the chronic nature of periodontal disease.” She said it’s easy to take intraoral scans and submit them to Perio Protect to create a customized plan for each patient. Dr. Kent Jackson relies on Perio Protect to treat patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease, especially those who do not respond to scaling and root planing and conventional home care. “I remind patients that Perio Protect is less expensive than gum surgery,” he stated.

“Perio Trays are well-fitting trays that are beneficial for periodontal health and can also be filled with other solutions,” shared Dr. Gordon. “We often dispense fluoride gel or desensitizers for the patient to place into their Perio Tray and have obtained excellent results.” He added, “There is a side benefit to this system, whiter teeth, which helps motivate patients.” Dr. Brown said the trays are convenient for delivering fluoride and for treating patients with xerostomia, desquamative gingivitis, lichen planus, or implantitis. Dr. Stephen Dowell said he uses Perio Trays to apply fluoride gel and sensitivity gel, especially in patients with receding gums.

Patient Acceptance & Compliance

When Dr. Gordon explains the benefits of the Perio Protect Method to patients, he said “patient acceptance is high,” and he does not “need to convince anyone of the value of non-invasive treatment.” Dr. Brown agrees and said, “Most patients understand how important maintaining good oral health is, and they are in favor of anything that will help them.” After adopting the Perio Protect Method 7 years ago because he wanted a non-surgical, patient-friendly periodontal treatment option, Dr. Dowell said he explains the oral health connection to whole body health with patients and then outlines the Perio Protect Method, in many cases telling them, “This is the next step before surgery.”

Dr. Brown recently tried Perio Protect’s newest product, PeriogelX, which is Periogel with xylitol, and said it should help patients who have a high risk of caries. Dr. Gordon called PeriogelX “great for patients who want a nice flavor with the same effectiveness as the original Periogel.”

The Results

“Perio Protect has been a great addition for our patients and to our practice,” noted Dr. Brown, who said patients report significantly less bleeding and inflammation, less temperature sensitivity, and improved caries control after treatment. “When patients are happy, it enhances their experience and trust level.”

When Dr. Gordon first began using Perio Protect, he prescribed the method to a patient who was facing thousands of dollars of periodontal surgery. Within 2 weeks, most of the patient’s pocket depths had decreased by 2 mm and his gums had quit bleeding, which Dr. Gordon said “was incredible!” After a month, several pockets had reduced to 1 mm, and this patient “kept up with this marvelous system and is very happy that he has not required any periodontal surgery.” Dr. Gordon shared, “After seeing this patient’s fantastic results, I was ‘sold’ on the Perio Protect Method and have had similar success with other patients.”

"A non-surgical, daily at-home treatment that significantly reduces pathogenic organisms to allow the body to heal."
-Stephen Gordon, DDS
Chicago, IL

Overall Satisfaction

“I would definitely recommend the Perio Protect Method to other dental practices,” shared Dr. Dowell. “It’s a great adjunct to perio treatment.” Dr. Gordon concluded, “Perio Protect is an additional tool in our ‘bag of tricks’ that most patients appreciate.”

Takeaways

• A non-invasive comprehensive treatment approach to help manage biofilms associated with periodontal disease
• Combines mechanical debridement or laser-assisted removal of biofilms with tray delivery of prescribed medication
• Patients wear Perio Trays at home to deliver treatment deep into periodontal pockets
• With patient compliance, the doctor-prescribed system is often an effective alternative to periodontal surgery