In aesthetic dentistry, preventive maintenance is one of the elements that can increase the success rate of cosmetic treatments and decrease risks of failure. Dental implants can restore life-like aesthetics and natural function but they demand meticulous pre, during and postsurgical homecare. The goal of any implant maintenance and periodontal management programme is to preserve the implants along with the remaining dentition whilst maintaining comfort, function and aesthetics. Excellent plaque control and tissue maintenance are of critical importance to the favourable long-term prognosis of implant effectiveness.
Impacting both tooth and gum problems, dental plaque contributes to the oral cavity’s overall dynamic environment that frequently undergoes rapid changes in pH, nutrient availability and oxygen tension. According to Jorgsen and Slot “under suitable conditions, periodontal pathogens colonise the subgingival environment, incorporating into a tenacious biofilm”. The late eminent American periodontist Professor Perry Ratcliff claimed that “extremely low concentrations of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), the family of gases, which are primarily responsible for oral malodour, are also highly toxic to the tissues in the mouth. When VSC are absent, the toxins from bacteria do not cross the epithelial barrier. When the VSC are present, they alter the epithelial barrier, allowing the bacterial toxins to penetrate through the epithelium into the deeper tissues. These act as antigens to start the immune response, which starts the inflammatory reaction that causes tissue destruction to form periodontal pockets.” He also suggests that “traditional procedures of scaling, root planning and the practice of oral hygiene, combined with tongue scraping are effective at reducing levels of VSC and are satisfactory cosmetic treatments.”
To create the perfect smile, it is essential that dental care professionals understand the science behind products and consider how a particular technology or product can potentially contribute to the process of oral health care, before during and after aesthetic treatments. With excellent performance in eliminating both VSC and harmful oral bacteria, oral hygiene products containing stabilised chlorine dioxide (like UltraDEX, formerly known as RetarDEX) can be a significant aid in aesthetic dentistry. They work closely with the natural oral pH and help to achieve a healthy oral environment. Highly recommended by many dental care professionals as part of their complete care plan, they are very gentle on the delicate tissues of the mouth, suitable for daily long term use and patient compliance is excellent. When exposed to the acidic areas, where plaque has formed, stabilised chlorine dioxide is released which destroys the VSC. There are no unpleasant side effects such as interference with taste sensation or staining, instead Stabilised Chlorine Dioxide oxidises and lifts organic stains.
Stabilised chlorine dioxide could be of value to a wide spectrum dental treatments when used as part of an oral healthcare regime. It not only provides an optimum solution for dental health and function, but helps encourage patients to become an active participant in their own oral healthcare.
Products containing stabilised chlorine dioxide can bridge the gap between professional and at home oral care.