The associate professor, Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry and Head of the Periodontology Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that periodontal disease is currently a serious public health issue in Vietnam.
Periodontal disease consists of two main groups: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the earliest and most common stage, but if left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more severe condition.
Periodontitis is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease caused by biofilm, influenced not only by bacteria but also by the immune response, genetic factors, lifestyle, and the individual’s overall health. Traditional treatments, such as scaling and root planing, remain essential; however, they have significant limitations: about 30% of patients do not fully respond to treatment, and inflammation persists.
Associate Professor Nguyen Thu Thuy emphasized that periodontal disease is not only common but also the leading cause of tooth loss. It is worth noting that periodontal disease has long been recognized as closely related to many systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, prematurity, and low birth weight. More recently, studies have also highlighted its connection to respiratory and immune diseases.
However, one of the current major challenges is that most patients only seek treatment at an advanced stage of the disease, presenting symptoms such as loose teeth, pain, abscesses, or tooth loss. At this stage, treatment becomes complex, costly, and requires long-term patient collaboration.
Recently, during the 48th Scientific and Technical Conference on Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery organized by the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, Professor Dr. Werner Biglechner from Heidelberg University in Germany indicated that current methods for treating periodontal diseases are still quite traditional and have a relatively high failure rate.
Traditional methods, such as root surface treatment, only eliminate about 60-65% of biofilm. Even with optimal treatment, about 35-40% of dental plaque remains, especially in hard-to-reach areas like interdental spaces. This is a weak point of the treatment: patient compliance with oral hygiene at home is crucial but difficult to guarantee.
In reality, the presence of dental plaque does not systematically lead to the development of the disease. However, in people with risk factors, this plaque can trigger and perpetuate periodontal inflammation. This underscores the urgency of finding a solution to help patients better manage their dental plaque at home, in addition to interventions in a dental office.
Professor Werner Biglechner introduced the Lumoral dual-light technology, available in Europe for four years. This technology allows for personalized periodontal treatment tailored to each patient’s risk profile, as assessed by the dentist. This approach is relevant because it helps avoid over-treatment and empowers patients to manage their disease.
Lumoral is a completely new technology, protected by seven patents. It is a medical device of the European Union (EU Regulation 2017/745 on medical devices) and the first device focused on personalized treatment of periodontal diseases.
In his report, Professor Werner Biglechner noted that Lumoral technology combines antibacterial blue light, infrared light, and photothermal effects to selectively eliminate bacteria, break down biofilm, promote tissue regeneration, all while preserving beneficial microorganisms. Clinical studies have shown that applying this treatment at home significantly reduces gingivitis (BOP), dental plaque (VPI), and depth of periodontal pockets, and increases the rate of patients achieving a healthy periodontal state compared to standard care.
“It is a personalized system that patients can use at home for just about ten minutes. Despite its simple design, this device is protected by numerous patents and has undergone rigorous clinical studies. The initial results obtained from hundreds of patients show positive effects on dental plaque control and improvement in periodontal health,” stated Professor Werner Biglechner.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/cong-nghe-anh-sang-mo-huong-dieu-tri-nha-chu-post953984.html
