In an era where dental treatment options multiply daily and marketing claims often overshadow scientific evidence, discerning patients seek periodontal care grounded in rigorous research rather than fleeting trends. The difference between evidence-based treatment and anecdotal approaches can determine whether your gum disease resolves completely, remains manageable, or continues to progress despite intervention.
At Advanced Periodontics of New Jersey, Dr. Marlen Martiroso and Dr. Aura Matei build their clinical practice on a foundation of peer-reviewed research and evidence-based protocols. Dr. Matei’s extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals and her experience as faculty at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine reflect the practice’s commitment to science-driven care that delivers predictable results for patients throughout River Edge and surrounding communities. When seeking gum disease treatment, understanding how research-backed approaches differ from conventional methods helps patients make informed decisions about their periodontal health and treatment options.
The Foundation of Evidence-Based Periodontal Care
Evidence-based dentistry represents a systematic approach to clinical decision-making that integrates the best available scientific evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. This methodology ensures that treatment recommendations stem from rigorous research rather than tradition, intuition, or marketing pressures. For periodontal patients, this means receiving interventions proven effective through controlled clinical trials and longitudinal studies.
The research supporting modern periodontal therapy spans decades of scientific investigation. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, periodontal disease affects more than 42% of adults aged 30 and older in the United States, making it one of the most prevalent chronic conditions. This widespread impact has driven extensive research into treatment modalities, prevention strategies, and the relationship between periodontal health and systemic conditions.
Periodontists who prioritize evidence-based care continuously evaluate emerging research, assess the quality of scientific studies, and incorporate validated findings into their treatment protocols. This commitment to staying current with scientific literature ensures patients benefit from the most effective interventions available.
How Research Informs Treatment Selection
The selection of appropriate periodontal treatments requires understanding which interventions demonstrate effectiveness for specific clinical situations. Research guides this decision-making process by providing data on treatment outcomes, success rates, and factors that influence results. Guided tissue regeneration procedures, for example, have evolved significantly as research identified optimal materials, surgical techniques, and patient selection criteria that maximize regenerative potential.
Clinical studies examining periodontal treatment outcomes help practitioners predict which patients will respond favorably to conservative therapies versus those requiring more aggressive intervention. This research-informed approach prevents the common pitfall of attempting ineffective treatments repeatedly while disease progresses.
Research also reveals the importance of addressing risk factors that compromise periodontal treatment outcomes. Studies documenting the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease progression demonstrate that smokers experience significantly poorer treatment results and higher recurrence rates. Evidence-based practitioners incorporate this knowledge into treatment planning, emphasizing risk factor modification as integral to comprehensive care.
Advanced Technology Supported by Scientific Validation
The incorporation of new technologies into periodontal practice should rest on scientific evidence demonstrating clinical benefits rather than marketing hype alone. Laser dentistry serves as an example where research has defined appropriate applications, limitations, and protocols for effective use. Studies examining laser-assisted periodontal therapy provide data on which clinical situations benefit from this technology and which cases achieve better outcomes with conventional approaches.
LANAP certification, which Dr. Matei obtained in 2024, represents a commitment to utilizing FDA-cleared laser technology with established clinical protocols based on research validation. This laser system has undergone extensive testing to demonstrate safety and efficacy for treating periodontal disease.
Cone beam computed tomography and other advanced imaging modalities similarly require research validation before integration into standard practice protocols. Studies demonstrating diagnostic advantages, impact on treatment planning, and improvements in clinical outcomes justify the use of these technologies.
Academic Excellence and Clinical Innovation
Faculty positions at major academic institutions like Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania provide direct exposure to cutting-edge research and clinical innovation. These environments foster critical evaluation of emerging treatments, rigorous scientific methodology, and collaboration with researchers advancing the field of periodontics.
Dr. Matei’s research publications focus on biomaterials for tissue reconstruction and regeneration, dental implants, and periodontal regeneration. This research background translates directly into clinical practice, as understanding the science behind regenerative materials and techniques enables more sophisticated treatment planning and execution.
Academic involvement also ensures exposure to diverse patient populations and challenging cases that expand clinical expertise. Teaching responsibilities at dental schools require staying current with scientific literature and clearly articulating the rationale behind treatment decisions, skills that enhance patient communication in private practice settings.
Biomaterials and Regenerative Approaches Grounded in Science
The selection of biomaterials for periodontal regeneration exemplifies how research shapes clinical decisions. Numerous bone graft materials, barrier membranes, and growth factors are available, yet their performance varies significantly based on composition, particle size, resorption rates, and biological properties. Research comparing these materials helps practitioners select options with proven track records for specific clinical applications.
Evidence guides decisions about when to use autogenous bone versus synthetic alternatives, which membrane materials provide optimal barrier function, and how to combine materials for enhanced results. This scientific foundation prevents the trial-and-error approach that characterized earlier regenerative attempts.
Experience Research-Driven Care at Advanced Periodontics of New Jersey
Choosing a periodontal practice committed to evidence-based treatment ensures your care rests on scientific validation rather than marketing trends or outdated protocols. The team at Advanced Periodontics of New Jersey brings together academic credentials, research experience, and clinical expertise to deliver periodontal care that reflects the highest standards of evidence-based practice.
The practice offers comprehensive periodontal services delivered according to protocols validated through scientific research and refined through years of clinical experience. Contact the office today to schedule your consultation and discover how research-backed periodontal care provides superior outcomes for patients facing gum disease and related conditions.
