A new study in the October issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) found that an adhesive made from an enzyme found in snake venom was a more effective and beneficial adhesive when used to close surgical incisions than traditional sutures. The study followed 15 patients during the healing process after a gingival (gum) graft. When the adhesive derived from snake venom was used, those patients had faster recovery and better results than those treated with traditional sutures. `This unique type of adhesive may stimulate faster tissue repair. It is a more natural form of adhesive in comparison to traditional sutures used after surgery,` explained study author Monica Barbosa, Phd, Bauru Dental School at the University of Sao Paulo, `More studies are needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness of this alternative.` `This adhesive may be a less infectious alternative to traditional sutures,` said Preston D. Miller, DDS, and AAP president. `This research highlights the array of therapies available for patients; both traditional and natural alternatives. There continues to be a lot of exciting and innovative research in the field of periodontics.`

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