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The current methods of treating periodontal disease are similar to practices that go back many years and can be very painful to patients. Treatments such as scaling the tissue above and below gums, tedious hygiene habits, and the use of antibiotics to regulate the bacteria in those who suffer from gum disease work well for many patients, but they don’t necessarily solve the problem. A recent study from research staff at the University of Pittsburgh has found a new way to address the issue of gum disease which may offer a reliable way to regulate the body’s excessive immune response to oral bacteria that damages gum and bone tissue.

How the New Treatment Works

Scientists noticed that the body’s cells which attack the oral bacteria are more active than they should be for those who are affected by periodontal disease, ultimately resulting in these cells attacking the tissues that they are supposed to protect. They created a possible solution which is a paste-like polymer microsphere which gradually releases a protein known as CCL22 that attracts beneficial regulatory T-Cells to the inflamed tissue. The study involved placing the polymer microsphere between the gum and tooth tissue of animals with gum disease to see if the substance would cause the attracted regulatory T-Cells to make the overactive immune cells stop wreaking havoc on the gum tissue.

The Results from the Study

While scientists at the University of Pittsburgh found that the increased amount of regulatory T-Cells this method attracted didn’t affect bacterial populations, but it did cause improvements in the affected animals’ gum, tooth, and bone health based on:

  • Reduced gum inflammation
  • No more bleeding gum tissue
  • Decreased gum pocket size
  • Less significant bone loss

Read the full story here. Schedule an appointment at PeachTree Periodontal for a gum health evaluation today.