Antimicrobial Therapy - Fort Lauderdale, FL

We identify the cause for effective treatment

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microbes

Antimicrobial Therapy

Drs. Tom and Mark McCawley were among the first to use culturing and phase contrast microscopy to identify the bacteria causing periodontal diseases. This is diagnostic information guides us in specific antimicrobial therapies which can be more predictable in saving your smile, especially in advanced cases.

Oral Cavity Bacteria

So far, over 500 Bacterial species have been identified in the oral cavity, plus protozoa, yeasts and viruses. Periodontitis is a polymicrobial infection. Researchers have found that there are 46 common pathogen combinations. Systemic antibiotics have been evaluated in conjunction with mechanical debridement for severe cases of periodontitis.

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Our Approach To Antimicrobial Therapy

What separates our practice from other periodontal offices is that Drs. Tom and Mark McCawley not only treat the effect of the disease (pockets), Drs. Tom and Mark McCawley diagnose the cause of the disease (the specific bacteria). By identifying the specific bacteria, he can eliminate them and help prevent the disease from recurring.

Drs. Tom and Mark McCawley use the phase contrast microscope to help determine the bacteria in the mouth. We have viewed over 150,000 microscopic slides to better treat your infection. We are able to view the bacteria while it is still alive (which is different from other microscopes which cannot use live specimens) to actually see the motion and amount of disease causing microorganisms. At the exam, we take a bacterial sample and view it on the monitors in our exam rooms. This allows patients to become more educated about their periodontal health and allows us to better treat the infection.

In some cases where the disease is advanced we also offer a bacterial culture. We sample the bacteria from under the gumline and send it to a lab in Pennsylvania. The lab then cultures the bacteria and sends us a report on the exact classification of the microorganisms so we know which antibiotics are best to help treat the disease. Drs. Tom and Mark McCawley have analyzed over 4000 cultures to help treat periodontal disease more effectively.

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