Orkos Award for Successful Gum Disease Treatment awarded to Dr. Greg Gist

Dr. Greg Gist of Southlake, Texas was recently named the latest recipient of the Orkos Award. Perio Protect presented Dr. Gist the award for his case study that resulted in successful long-term treatment of a patient with gum disease.

As the economy improves, patients are returning to their dentists. Many of these patients are finding that the health of their gums has declined. The patient in Dr. Gist’s case study resumed treatment after a four-year absence. A comprehensive exam revealed generalized periodontitis, moderate bone loss and gum recession. A routine probing (a measuring the pockets between teeth and gums) indicated that the patient’s pockets were 4-6mm deep (3mm or less being healthy) and that bleeding during the exam was heavy. This scenario is all too common for patients who have been avoiding professional dental care due to the recession.

Following the exam on January 28, 2013, Dr. Gist began the first of four debridement and scaling procedures (deep cleaning that reaches below the gum line). After mechanical therapy, Dr. Gist delivered Perio Trays^®, prescription, customized periodontal trays worn by patients to hold medication in periodontal pockets to kill the bacteria responsible for gum disease and gum infections. The patient was advised to wear his Perio Trays twice a day for 10 minutes to deliver 1.7% hydrogen peroxide gel and three drops of an antibiotic.

At the end of March, approximately two months after the initial visit, the patient exhibited no bleeding on probing and over 90% of his pocket measured healthy depths. A periodontal maintenance visit on June 26, 2013 confirmed additional improvements. At the patient’s most recent dental appointment on September 9, 2014, inflammation remained under control. Gums did not bleed. All periodontal pockets remained at healthy depths. Gum recession had decreased.

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Dr. Gist attributes the long-term success of this case study to his focus on both the destructive symptoms and bacterial causes of the disease. “So much medicine today focuses on what has happened, not how to fix a problem. I am concerned with comprehensive treatment and prevention that addresses the sources of disease.”

The prescription tray delivery used for this patient, and for many in Dr. Gist’s practice, has been described by Dr. Gist as his ‘secret weapon’ and ‘therapeutic silver bullet’ for effective bacteria treatment. “The unique way in which the trays are fabricated,” Dr. Gist explains, “enables us to force the medication deep into the periodontal pockets where most of the bacteria reside and where most patients have a problem cleaning.” The simplicity of this treatment system is also relevant. According to Dr. Gist,”The prescription tray is so easy for our patients to use that it allows patients to have a high degree of compliance, especially when patients are educated to the incredible systemic and lifestyle benefits of keeping their mouths infection free.”

Dr. Gist prescribes the Perio Tray for more than just periodontal disease. “We have developed a pre-operative treatment regimen that gets our patients ready to be restored, and a post-operative regimen that protects my patient’s investment in their health after their restorative work is complete. We have actually built a niche Perio Protect Practice within our restorative/cosmetic practice that is improving our patients’ health.

For more information on Dr. Greg Gist and his dental practice, visit GregGistDDS.com. Details on the Orkos Award are available at TheOrkosAward.com. For more information on the prescription Perio Tray®, visit PerioProtect.com.