Periodontist in Long Island Points to Gene Therapy for Treatment

In America millions suffer from periodontal disease, a silent disease that advances in the mouth often before any symptoms show up. For years this disease was treated with detailed intervention with your Periodontist in Long Island. Now, with new advances in gene therapy Periodontists may soon have a new weapon on their side.

Gene therapy has long been used to fight defective genes that lead to deformities and other undesirable illnesses. Now this fascinating ability of using healthy cells to treat unhealthy cells come a new advancement on encouraging the regeneration of previously damaged tooth-supporting tissues.

The University of Michigan recently published their study in the Journal of Periodontology discussing a recent breakthrough in the possibility of using gene therapy to restore damage caused by periodontal disease. Researchers inserted a gene called bone morphogenetic protein that encodes a bone-stimulating factor into an inactivated virus in a rat, which then transfers the genes into grown skin cells.

The next part is perhaps the most fascinating part about this process, after these genetically-engineered cells were transplanted into large periodontal bone defects surrounding the teeth. The damaged tooth-supporting structures, such as the jawbone, periodontal ligament and the protective coating on the teeth actually showed signs of rejuvenation.

While this study needs more time before it can be sure gene therapy will successfully repair damage caused by periodontal disease it does provide hope to Periodontists worldwide. Even the president of the American Academy of Periodontology admits that talks of using gene therapy in periodontal treatment have been going on for years, and now they have evidence to believe this may actually be reality in the near future.

Regardless how effective gene therapy can be on repairing the damage caused by gum disease nothing protects a healthy smile better than prevention. To help prevent gum disease, familiarize yourself with early warning signs which include; frequent bleeding when brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, red or swollen gums, and loose or missing teeth.

If you notice any of these changes in your mouth visit a Periodontist in Long Island right away. For a Periodontist who offers an alternative to tradition surgery, contact Dr. Scharf. He treats gum disease with a laser, not a scalpel. Call today at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.