Quantifying Periodontal Disease
The PreViser Company of Mount Vernon, Washington, has developed and scientifically validated their Periodontal RiskCalculatorTM. This computer program that can give us almost instantaneous information about periodontal conditions that was previously unobtainable. It has recently become available for commercial use and can aid us in making better decisions about care.
Quantifying Your Periodontal Disease
We will now be able to give a numeric score for periodontal disease that is much more specific than the terms gingivitis or periodontitis. This specific numerical score will allow us to more closely monitor health or disease state.
Scoring:
|
Health |
Gingivitis |
Beginning |
Moderate |
Severe |
|
|
1 |
2-3 |
4-10 |
11-36 |
37-10 |
Risk Assessment
We will also be able to give a numeric score to better define the probability of periodontal disease or experience continued periodontal breakdown in the future. The risk score will help us decide how aggressive our treatment should be as well as point us to those risk factors that will need to be managed to lower risk.
Scoring:
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Very Low Risk |
Low Risk |
Moderate Risk |
High Risk |
Very High Risk |
|
<10% |
30% |
50% |
70% |
>80% |
Trend Analysis
Each subsequent risk assessment will show previous scores and risk and disease state trend. This trend analysis will allow us to analyze the effect of treatment on risk and disease scores. Improvement, stability or deterioration will be easily seen and future treatment actions to improve the trend can be formulated.
Risk Factor Analysis
This area of the report will describe areas of elevated risk for periodontal disease. If risk factors can be controlled, the chances of future deterioration can be diminished or eliminated.
Treatment Options
The active intervention treatment option portion of the report will recommend the most effective treatment for specific conditions. Treatment recommendations will be specific for each risk factor. Recommended treatment will be rated as generall most efective, may be effective or less likely to be effective. In the near future, specific percentage of efficacy score will be available. Using this section a a guide, the most effective treatment plan can be established.
We will be utilizing this program at initial exams, re-evaluations, post-surgical evaluations and periodontal maintenance appointments. Our ability to more clearly understand and communicate risk for future disease progression, disease status, risk factors of concern and evidenc based treatment recommendations will greatly enhance our ability to provide the most advanced treatment available. A nominal fee of $25 will be charged for this service. We know you will find, as we have, that this new thechnology exciting and beneficial.
