~The Cutting Edge of Microscopes and Regenerative Therapy~

Periodontal disease is considered the “leading cause of tooth loss,” affecting approximately 80% of adults and making it a national health issue. Traditional periodontal treatments primarily involved removing tartar or making large incisions to lift the gums and remove infected tissue. However, in recent years, the widespread adoption of microscopes has dramatically improved treatment precision, enabling a new approach: **“Minimally Invasive” “regenerating tissue”**. 

1. How Microscopes Transform Periodontal Treatment

Using a microscope allows dentists to identify plaque and tartar deposits invisible to the naked eye, enabling micron-level precision removal. This pinpoint approach to affected areas eliminates the need for large incisions, significantly reducing patient burden. Smaller incisions also help preserve blood flow, leading to better healing outcomes.

2. Advances in Regenerative Therapy

Research worldwide has focused on regenerating tissue (bone and gum) lost due to periodontal disease. Regenerative therapy aims to induce and restore lost tissue using specialized membranes and proteins like enamel matrix proteins.

I hold particular respect for Dr. Yoshimine Nara (practicing in Chigasaki), who is also my classmate. As a world-class periodontist active internationally, he leads the forefront of periodontal regenerative therapy. I learned surgical techniques directly from him and was fortunate enough to undergo his surgery in my own mouth. This experience was a major catalyst for personally understanding the power of regenerative therapy and world-standard treatment.

3. Balancing Artistry and Evidence

The dental world has long valued “artistry.” It is indeed a technique-sensitive field where skilled practitioners can achieve dramatic results. However, this alone lacks universal applicability as medicine. Regenerative therapy garners global attention precisely because it ensures **“reproducibility based on theoretical evidence.”**

I am no genius myself, but I am confident that by following correct theory, utilizing a microscope, and selecting appropriate surgical procedures, stable results can be achieved.

4. Message to Patients

Periodontal treatment is evolving from “removing” and “extracting” to ‘protecting’ and “regenerating.” The combination of precision treatment using microscopes and evidence-based regenerative therapy has opened the possibility of restoring tissue once thought lost.

Even for those told “extraction is the only option,” treatment choices are expanding.

Summary

Periodontal treatment is currently undergoing a major transformation. The fusion of the precise visualization provided by the microscope and the evidence supporting regenerative therapy enables the realization of treatment that is less burdensome for patients and offers high predictability.

In the next installment, Series ⑧, we will introduce “Implant Treatment Edition,” showcasing how the microscope is beneficial in the surgical field.