On Friday 22 May 2015 for the first time Dürr Dental invited colleagues to Bietigheim-Bissingen for a certified further-training event on the subject of periodontitis and peri-implantitis. Fifty participants, including dentists and their practice teams, responded to the invitation. The half-day further-training event was lead by Dr. Dirk Vasel and his colleague, Ms. Janine Gandt.
Effective therapy programme for periodontitis and periimplantitis
According to statistics 1,2, eight of out ten people suffer from an inflammatory disease of the periodontium, called periodontitis. Since the number of patients having implants placed is rising every year, so too is the potential for those affected to develop periimplantitis – the structures around the implant become inflamed and, in the worst case scenario, this threatens loss of the implant.
Against this backdrop Dürr Dental resolved to support the search for a practical and at the same time effective therapy programme for the treatment of periodontal illnesses, and to offer a further-training event for that purpose. The event demonstrated common features of the two diseases, as well as major differences in their aetiology, diagnostics and therapy. Delegates also had an opportunity to learn about the Vector Paro, an instrument developed by Dürr Dental for the treatment of periodontitis and periimplantitis. Emphasis is on minivisally invasive treatment with the development of instruments especially designed for this purpose.
Our speakers
Dürr Dental benefited from two experienced speakers, both specialists in their field. Dr. Dirk Vasel is a dentist practising in Stuttgart, specialising in periodontology. He took his degree in dentistry in 1992, and during his subsequent scholarship at the University of Washington he had Professor Page as his mentor. He worked, among other positions, as senior consultant at the Dental Further Training Centre in Stuttgart, and in 2003 he set up his own practice. As a further-training expert Dr. Vasel offers treatment at the highest level to patients in his practice, reflecting the very latest scientific knowledge. His colleague of many years, Janine Gandt, completed her training as dental assistant in 2001. Since then she has undergone intensive further training, in such fields as group and individual prophylaxis.
Periodontitis and peri-implantitis therapy with Dr. Vasel Scientific basis and therapy plan with focus on maintenance therapy
Katrin Probst Dipl.Ing., Product Manager from Dürr Dental AG, opened the meeting with a short presentation before introducing Dr. Vasel, who discussed the scientific basis of periodontitis and periimplantitis and the role of biofilm. While presenting the possibilities available for diagnosis and prognosis, he also explained the main risk factors, such as smoking or diabetes, and their impact on the therapy.
After the coffee break, which provided the first opportunity for a lively exchange of views, the event continued with a focus on concepts for minimally invasive therapy and on periodontal and peri-implant maintenance therapy. The aim of these procedures must be to ensure the long-term success of the periodontal treatment through patient recall at close intervals, to stabilise the results of therapy already achieved, and to improve it where possible. The practical work of maintenance therapy in Dr. Vasel’s dental practice was demonstrated by Ms. Gandt. She provided those attending the course with an insight into the work processes as well as the materials and instruments which were used. Her explanations included the Vector System.
Of particular interest to those attending the course was the concluding presentation and discussion of patient cases, which were impressively documented over a long period. The whole course was both relaxed and engaging and allowed delegates the opportunity to discuss topical issues.
A successful event all round
The success of the course is evident by both the speed at which it was booked up and also the thoroughly positive feedback given by those attending. The next further-training event will be held on 16 October 2015; invitations to attend are already in preparation.
1 Micheelis W, Reich E. Dritte Deutsche Mundgesundheitsstudie (DMS IV). IDZ- Materialienreihe Bd 21. Köln:
Deutscher Ärzte Verlag, 1999
2 Micheelis W, Schiffner U. Vierte Deutsche Mundgesundheitsstudie (DMS IV). IDZ-Materialienreihe Bd 31. Köln:
Deutscher Zahnärzte Verlag DÄV, 2006