Perio Protect®

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At-Home Care With Perio Protect

Perio Protect is a comprehensive method customized for individual patients to help manage biofilms, which are communities of bacteria that grow in the spaces or pockets between teeth and gum tissue. The overall goal of the Perio Protect Method® is to manage oral biofilm with minimally invasive dentistry for lasting oral health.

The Perio Protect Healing Process

The Perio Protect Method is a combination of treatments, including a non-invasive chemical debriding (removal) therapy used in conjunction with traditional mechanical debriding procedures. The chemical therapy involves a series of Perio Trays® that deliver doctor-prescribed solutions to the infected areas of the mouth.

The standard cleaning procedures in dental offices, such as scaling and root planing, help to remove plaque and tartar while also reducing bacteria. Unfortunately, bacteria reproduce quickly and biofilms regenerate very easily, so it is difficult to control them between office visits.

With the Perio Protect Method, you can place prescribed solutions into periodontal pockets with an appropriately formed, customized dental tray between office visits to help manage biofilm. Although a dentist must choose the most appropriate solution for you, the most commonly prescribed solution with the method has oxidizing and oxygenating agents. Oxidizing agents both cleanse the oral wounds and remove the slimy, protective coating of biofilm.

Dr. Skuben may choose to treat your oral wounds with the chemical debriding and cleansing agents before mechanical debriding procedures to help reduce bacterial populations, and thus reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the bloodstream during mechanical debridement.

Perio Tray®

Perio Trays were approved by the FDA in 2004 with the intended use to place solutions of the clinician’s choice into gingival crevices or periodontal pockets, the space that can develop between teeth and gum tissues when gum disease is present. Dentists may prescribe Perio Trays when medications placed into the periodontal pocket could benefit a patient’s oral health.

A Perio Tray is uniquely designed to precisely fit each patient. An impression of your mouth will be taken and sent with a prescription to a specialized dental laboratory for custom fabrication. Patients will receive detailed usage instructions based on their individual needs.

For most people, the Perio Tray is used for only minutes each day. Patients describe the Perio Tray as comfortable, convenient, and easy to use. They especially appreciate its non-invasive technology.

Is the Perio Protect Method Right for Me?

Though our doctors should determine the most appropriate care for your condition, it is important to manage oral biofilm (oral bacterial communities) daily because bacteria are constantly introduced into the mouth. The goal of the Perio Protect Method is to promote lasting oral health without requiring repetitive invasive procedures.

Brushing and flossing continue to be important, but even with standard home care, 80% of Americans have some form of gum disease and need more help. Gum disease has been linked to serious systemic illnesses. Treatment is important.

Schedule an appointment with your periodontist so a treatment plan can be developed for you.