Speakers - Periodontal Conference 2016

David Herrera

Full-time Professor of Periodontology at the Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense of Madrid (Spain).
Associated Dean for Clinics, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense of Madrid (Spain).
President of the Spanish Society of Periodontology (SEPA).
Board member of the Continental European Division of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).
Invited Professor at the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) Graduate Program in Periodontology, University Complutense of Madrid (Spain).
Degree in Dentistry, Postgraduated in Periodontology, and European Doctor (Ph.D) in Dentistry, University Complutense of Madrid.
Scientific activity within Microbiology and Antimicrobials in Periodontology: more than 75 scientific publications in SCI journals and more than 30 chapters in books.
Participation in courses and congresses: invited speaker at more than 50 international and national Scientific Congresses.

Abstract

The role of antimicrobials in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases

Periodontitis are infections, associated to specific bacterial species, arranged in subgingival biofilms. The control of supra- and subgingival biofilms is crucial in the prevention and therapy of periodontal diseases.

Specifically, supragingival biofilm control is the basis for primary and secondary prevention of periodontal diseases. The most common approaches for supragingival biofilm control include mechanical devices but limitations of mechanical control have lead to the extensive use of chemical biofilm control, mainly achieved with antimicrobial products in different delivery formats, such as dentifrices and mouth rinses. The scientific evaluation of oral hygiene products for chemical biofilm control should follow very defined research steps, including in vitro studies and in vivo models. An extensive analysis of the available literature will identify those products with the highest level of evidence, including systematic reviews with meta-analysis.

Periodontitis therapy aims for infection control. In order to achieve the best possible results, a special effort should be made during the diagnostic and treatment plan processes. When planning the sequence of treatment phases, advanced diagnostic approaches and new treatment strategies and technologies, may increase the predictability of obtaining successful infection control. In this context, the use of selected systemic antimicrobial agents, targeting at specific microbiological profiles, may improve the clinical outcomes and the long-term results. This approach will limit the use of these drugs to specific patients: namely, those who will benefit the most from the adjunctive therapy. This will lead to a more responsible use of systemic antimicrobials, which is extremely important in the context of a world increase of antibiotic resistance by micro-organisms, associated to an excessive use of these drugs.

David Herrera