November 10, 2004
Among scientists who study the periodontal diseases, one of the more perplexing research questions is why standard treatments - scaling and root planing, surgery, and systemically administered antibiotics - knock out periodontitis in some people but not in others? Among the many possible explanations is those who do not respond well to treatment may have especially virulent microbes present in the affected subgingival pockets (where the gums overlap the tooth) and extremely aggressive initial treatment is needed to kill these pathogens. In an article published in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, a team of NIDCR grantees explored this question in 14 people with refractory periodontitis.