The Perioscopy System, Part 1: Utilization and objectives

By John Y. Kwan, DDS, and Suzanne Newkirk, RDH
The Perioscopy System is a 1-mm diameter fiberoptic camera that is attached to a dental probe (Perioscopy Explorer) and is then gently placed subgingivally. The images are immediately displayed on a chairside monitor and magnified 20-40 times, disclosing minute details that previously may have been undetectable, such as caries, root fractures, perforations, resorption and, of course, calculus.

Perioscopy is best utilized while providing a two-handed technique which allows the operator to view and instrument simultaneously. The objective of perioscopy is to see what you are doing, not just to see what you have done.Candidates for endoscopy include patients being treated for the following:• initial periodontal therapy • sites not responding to traditional non-surgical treatment• residual pockets in maintenance patients who are resistant to surgical therapy and where surgery is contraindicated (medical reasons, or esthetics)• during maintenance for chronically inflamed or increasing pockets• suspected subgingival pathology such as caries, root fractures, perforations or resorption As the above cases in other sections of the newsletter indicate, meticulous instrumentation via the Perioscopy System is the cornerstone for successful treatment outcomes in non-surgical periodontal therapy, regardless of adjunctives used. More information on The Perioscopy System can be found on Dr. Kwan’s web site: www.perioscopyinc.com/.Dr. Kwan can be contacted at: [email protected].Suzanne Newkirk, RDH, can be reached at: [email protected].References
Kwan, JY, Enhanced Periodontal Debridement with the use of Micro Ultrasonic, Periodontal Endoscopy. March.2005.VOL.33.NO.3.CDA.JOURNAL. Available at www.cda.org/library/cda_member/pubs/journal/jour0305/kwan.pdf.Kwan, JK, Workman, PD. Micro Ultrasonic Endoscopic Periodontal Debridement:Retrospective Analysis of Treatment with at least 1 year Follow-upAvailable at www.perioscopyinc.com/documents/aap_poster_boston_2009.pdf.Slim,LH. Perioscopy and ultrasonic efficiency. Volume 31 Issue 4 April 2011, RDH Magazine. Available at www.rdhmag.com/index/display/article-display/8397300443/articles/rdh/volume-31/issue-4/columns/perioscopy-and-ultrasonic-efficiency.html.Slim,LH. Let it shine, or do it blind: Eavesdropping on a Perioscopy seminar. Volume 3I issue 5 May 2011, RDH Magazine. Available at www.rdhmag.com/index/display/article-display/4725758312/articles/rdh/volume-31/issue-5/features/let-it-shine-or-do-it-blind.html.

Dr. Kwan is a board-certified periodontist and maintains a private practice providing periodontal and implant care in Oakland/Berkeley, Calif. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. Dr. Kwan is also the President/CEO of Perioscopy Incorporated.

Ms. Newkirk graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, in 1981 and has dedicated the last 30 years to excellence in clinical dental hygiene and periodontics. Suzanne is a periodontal therapist, dental hygiene coach and mentor. She is also a Perioscopy instructor and speaker. Ms. Newkirk is a member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association and Washington State Dental Hygienists' Association.