Monday, August 12, 2013

Oral DNA Testing in the Treatment of Periodontal Disease  
Dawnie L. Kildoo, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona

As the leading cause of adult tooth loss, periodontal disease requires targeted and effective treatment in order to halt the progression of disease and preserve oral health. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a bacterial infection which causes damage to the gums and loss of bone surrounding the teeth. Gum disease begins with no symptoms or pain, and progresses over time, destroying more and more tissue. Gum tissue recedes and becomes swollen and reddened. Periodontal disease causes loose teeth in adults. Gum disease treatment becomes more difficult as the disease becomes more advanced. For this reason, early detection of the presence of destructive bacterial is extremely important.

Periodontal health has been linked to overall health. In recent years, medical research has suggested a link between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. If periodontal disease is directly linked to these serious health conditions, then it makes sense to use a tool which can help identify your genetic susceptibility to periodontal disease as well as test for the presence of destructive bacteria in your mouth.

My Perio Path® is a simple, painless test which identifies and measures certain bacteria present in your mouth. This test provides a method of early detection of gum disease which allows for intervention even before symptoms occur. In cases where gingivitis (early stage gum disease) and periodontal disease have been diagnosed, the test also helps identify destructive bacteria, which makes it possible to target gum disease treatment more effectively. Additionally, a second test, My Perio ID® PST®, determines your genetic predisposition to develop a more serious gum infection, such as inflammatory periodontal disease.

Dr. Dawnie Kildoo strongly believes in early detection of periodontal infection. This is why she recommends the My Perio Path® test as a part of your routine dental check-up. It is recommended to have this test in advance of certain dental treatments, such as dental implants. Testing for bacteria which could cause periodontal disease around a dental implant is an important step in planning for dental implant success. The failure rate for dental implants is very low, however, when dental implants do fail, it is often due to a periodontal infection. Eliminating destructive bacteria before a dental implant is placed helps produce more predictable outcomes and increases dental implant success.

As the art and science of dentistry continues to make advances, Dr. Dawnie Kildoo of Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona remains committed to remaining on the leading edge of advanced dental technology. For more information about Oral DNA testing with My PerioPath® and My Perio ID®PST®, and to schedule your dental exam, contact our office at (520) 625-0131 or office@legacysmilesaz.com.

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