Oral-B and Straumann: From chair to self-care

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 22. September 2022

save

GENEVA/BASEL, Switzerland: In June 2022, Oral-B and Straumann announced a headline-grabbing alliance with an ambitious vision: to be a force for good in highlighting the importance of prevention through scientific education. The alliance’s focus is to help dental professionals achieve better outcomes with their implant and periodontal patients, from the chair to self-care.

Tooth loss as a result of periodontal disease is a major global oral health concern. Whereas dental implants are an increasingly popular method of replacing missing teeth, both the dental professional and the patient must understand what it takes to achieve successful treatment outcomes.

The alliance was officially launched with a jointly sponsored scientific session at EuroPerio10 in Copenhagen, featuring lectures by Dr Giorgio Pagni (University of Milan) and Prof. Filippo Graziani (University of Pisa) and moderation by Dr Martina Stefanini (University of Bologna). On the eve of the symposium, the three thought leaders sat down with Dental Tribune International to discuss the alliance.

How do you feel about Oral-B and Straumann joining forces to help educate dental professionals on the value of prioritising prevention for periodontal and peri-implant health?
Dr Stefanini: The alliance between Straumann, the most important dental implant brand, and Oral-B, the most important brand in prevention, is crucial. I think that preventive measures are the secret to maintaining good oral health in our periodontal and implant patients.

Prof. Graziani: Alliances are always beneficial. If two companies are able to talk with one another, there will be tremendous benefits for us as professionals and for the patients.

Why is it important for dental professionals to discuss the overall health benefits of limiting periodontal and peri-implant disease with their patients?
Prof. Graziani: Regarding the overall benefits of limiting periodontal disease, a dental practice does not solely act as the first line of defence against the spread of infectious diseases. Everything from oral hygiene instruction to surgical treatment has a tremendous impact on the patient’s health—not just the oral health but also the systemic health and overall well-being.

Dr Pagni: In addition to what Filippo said, to reduce the impact of peri-implant disease, we need to start planning for prevention from the moment we extract the tooth. Mucositis and peri-implantitis are two very prevalent diseases, and in order to prevent the loss of the implant, we need to start treating them very early.

“I think that preventive measures are the secret to maintaining good oral health in our periodontal and implant patients.”
— Dr Martina Stefanini, University of Bologna

Your lectures at the EuroPerio10 symposium discuss current practices and recommendations to help dental professionals achieve successful treatment outcomes. What key messages about this and the Oral-B–Straumann alliance do you wish your audiences to take back to their clinics?
Dr Pagni: Dental professionals should adopt a holistic approach that combines evidence-based chairside periodontal and peri-implant treatments with educating patients to perform effective oral hygiene at home. This includes personalised recommendations for appropriate oral hygiene products. Both Straumann and Oral-B share the same focus on the well-being of the patient and the long-term success of their products.

Dr Stefanini: When talking about health and disease, another important keyword is prevention. In general, we talk about how to prevent and treat periodontal and peri-implant diseases for our patients. Today, we discussed why it is important not only to look at the tooth and its surrounding hard and soft tissue, or not only to check the status of the patient’s oral health, but also to really evaluate the overall well-being of the patient.

Prof. Graziani: I strongly believe that, with the changes in society and in patients’ behaviour, it is fundamental to provide a large array of solutions for general health. There are so many options at hand and such a plethora of products and indications that the patient may get confused. Thus, this alliance should be cherished in order to simplify the life of our patients and to provide additional benefits for their health.

Editorial note:

In the near future, Oral-B and Straumann will continue to roll out a programme of scientific events, continuing education courses, webinars and publications aimed at stressing the importance of preventive self-care and clinical care. The next joint symposium is scheduled to take place at the American Academy of Periodontology Annual Meeting in Phoenix in the US on 27 October 2022.