Private Periodontal School

Understanding Periodontal Cure: The Mark Bonner Method

Periodontal disease remains one of the most widespread chronic conditions affecting adults worldwide. Despite its prevalence, the condition is frequently misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and poorly managed by conventional approaches. For decades, the standard response to advanced periodontal disease has been surgical intervention, a path that carries significant cost, recovery time, and discomfort for patients. The International Institute of Periodontology, founded by Dr. Mark Bonner, has pioneered a fundamentally different approach: one rooted in microbiological science, non-surgical protocols, and the pursuit of complete periodontal cure rather than mere disease management.

The Microbiological Foundation

At the heart of the Bonner method lies a principle that distinguishes it from traditional periodontal therapy: the systematic use of phase contrast microscopy to analyze the biofilm present in periodontal pockets. Rather than relying solely on clinical measurements such as pocket depth and bleeding on probing, Dr. Bonner's protocol places the microscopic examination of subgingival flora at the center of both diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

This microbiological approach recognizes that periodontitis is fundamentally an infectious disease. The research conducted by Dr. Bonner and his colleague Dr. Dunoyé has identified the critical role played by parasitic organisms, specifically Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax, in the progression from simple gingivitis to destructive periodontitis. These parasites thrive in the inflammatory environment created by bacterial plaque accumulation and, once established, actively contribute to tissue destruction by disrupting the normal function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).

When PMNs are disrupted by parasitic activity, they release uncontrolled destructive enzymes that break down connective tissue and alveolar bone. This cascade of inflammatory destruction is what ultimately leads to pocket deepening, tooth mobility, and tooth loss. Understanding this mechanism is essential because it reveals why conventional treatments that focus only on mechanical debridement and surgical pocket reduction often fail to achieve lasting results: they do not address the underlying parasitic infection.

The Periodontal Healing Protocol Bonner Dunoyé

The Periodontal Healing Protocol developed by Dr. Bonner and Dr. Dunoyé represents a comprehensive, systematic approach to achieving what they term complete periodontal cure. This is defined by four measurable clinical outcomes: no pocket depth greater than 3 mm, no bleeding points, commensal (healthy) microbiota confirmed by microscopic examination, and patient hygiene autonomy.

The protocol begins with a thorough microbiological assessment using a hospital-grade phase contrast microscope. Samples taken from the deepest periodontal pockets are examined in real time, allowing the practitioner to identify the specific types of organisms present, including motile bacteria, white blood cells, and critically, the presence or absence of parasitic amoebae. This initial assessment provides a baseline that guides the entire treatment plan and allows progress to be objectively measured at every subsequent appointment.

Treatment follows a carefully structured sequence that combines targeted antimicrobial therapy with meticulous mechanical debridement. Unlike conventional approaches that may rely on broad-spectrum antibiotics, the Bonner method uses specific antiparasitic and antimicrobial agents chosen based on the organisms identified under the microscope. This targeted approach is both more effective and more responsible in terms of antibiotic stewardship.

Why Non-Surgical Treatment Works

One of the most significant aspects of the Bonner method is its demonstration that surgery is not necessary to achieve complete periodontal healing in the vast majority of cases. The conventional wisdom in periodontology has long held that deep pockets (6 mm or greater) require surgical access for adequate debridement and that bone regeneration is unpredictable at best. Dr. Bonner's clinical results and published research challenge these assumptions directly.

When the parasitic infection is eliminated and gingivitis is fully resolved, the body's natural healing mechanisms can function without interference. Inflammation subsides, allowing the soft tissue to reattach to the root surface. In vertical bony defects, bone regeneration becomes predictable when health is maintained over a sufficient period. The key insight is that it is not the depth of the pocket itself that prevents healing, but rather the persistence of infection within it.

By monitoring the biofilm with microscopy at regular intervals throughout treatment, practitioners can confirm that the infection has been fully eradicated before concluding active therapy. This objective verification is something that clinical measurements alone cannot provide, as pockets may appear to improve clinically while still harboring pathogenic organisms that will eventually cause recurrence.

Training the Entire Dental Team

A distinctive feature of the International Institute of Periodontology's approach is its emphasis on training not just the dentist, but the entire dental practice team. The institute's seminars, held in Montreal for North American practitioners and in major European cities including Paris, Nice, Lyon, Toulouse, Marseille, Rennes, and Florence, are designed for doctors, dental hygienists, assistants, and even reception staff.

This whole-team approach reflects a practical understanding of how periodontal care is delivered in the real world. The hygienist who performs the microscopic examination, the assistant who prepares the microscope and samples, and the reception staff who schedule the carefully sequenced appointments all play essential roles in the success of the protocol. When every team member understands the science behind the method and their specific role in its implementation, patient outcomes improve dramatically.

The training program spans multiple days and covers both the theoretical foundations of periodontal microbiology and the practical skills needed to implement the method immediately in clinical practice. Participants learn to use the phase contrast microscope, interpret biofilm samples, apply the Parodex index for systematic case documentation, and communicate effectively with patients about their diagnosis and treatment plan.

The Importance of Transmission Management

Another area where the Bonner method diverges from conventional practice is its attention to disease transmission. Because periodontitis involves parasitic organisms that can be transmitted between individuals, the protocol includes assessment and management of the patient's close contacts. Partners, family members, and even household pets can serve as reservoirs for reinfection if they are not evaluated and treated when necessary.

This epidemiological perspective on periodontal disease is rarely addressed in traditional periodontal therapy, yet it is essential for preventing recurrence. A patient who achieves complete cure but whose partner remains infected faces a high probability of reinfection. By addressing the entire circle of transmission, the Bonner method achieves recurrence rates far lower than those reported in conventional periodontal literature.

A Vision for Complete Oral Health

The work of Dr. Mark Bonner and the International Institute of Periodontology represents more than a treatment protocol. It embodies a vision of oral health care in which periodontal disease is recognized as early detectable, easily preventable, and completely curable. This stands in stark contrast to the prevailing view in much of the dental profession that periodontitis is a chronic condition that can only be managed, never truly resolved.

The evidence supporting this vision continues to grow through ongoing clinical research and the outcomes achieved by practitioners trained in the method across North America and Europe. For dental professionals seeking to offer their patients the highest standard of periodontal care, and for patients seeking an alternative to the cycle of surgery, recurrence, and retreatment, the Bonner method offers a scientifically grounded path to genuine, lasting periodontal health.

More information on the research and clinical protocols can be found on Dr. Bonner's ResearchGate publications page, and practitioners interested in training are encouraged to view the seminar schedule or contact the institute directly.