General Session - Inflammation: Charting the Future of Periodontal Therapy

Sunday Session

 

Moderator: Ray C. Williams 

Program Tracks: Periodontal-Systemic Relationships, Treatment of Inflammatory Periodontal Diseases 

Periodontal diseases are initiated by tooth-associated microbial biofilms that elicit a host inflammatory response, ultimately leading to the destruction of alveolar bone and supporting connective tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis shares much similarity to periodontitis. Understanding the activities and signaling pathways that are responsible for bone remodeling in rheumatoid arthritis should lead to more effective strategies for preventing bone destruction in other inflammatory conditions. Understanding key factors that determine differences in how individual patients express inflammation should also provide new prevention and treatment strategies. 

Educational Objectives: 
• Understand the role of inflammation in inflammatory disorders such as periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease. 
• Learn the influence of aging on the expression of the inflammatory response. 
• Discuss the tremendous potential for new prevention and treatment strategies based on the control of the inflammatory response.