Gum Disease is the worst! But, we are using DNA for healthy smiles…….
One of the most significant advances in dental medicine, a simple DNA test, can now determine the specific type and quantity of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth! These bacteria, if left untreated, can cause periodontal disease, tooth loss, and also affect your risk for developing other systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (among others).
This exciting new test is for anyone with symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease. These symptoms include: bleeding gums, bad breath, red or inflamed gums or loss of bone around your teeth. Other indications for this test would be prior to extensive dental procedures and in some cases, surgical clearance (such as heart surgery or joint replacements).
This gentle oral rinse procedure is performed by swishing a small amount of sterile saline throughout the mouth and can be done in about 30 seconds. The sample is then sent to OralDNA Labs, Inc. (www.OralDNA.com) for processing.
The lab report that we get back will identify the bacteria associated with the gum infection and allow us to develop a far more powerful and effective treatment plan. Through this state-of-the-art technology, we are now able to treat the cause of infection and not just the symptoms. The goal of therapy then becomes to reduce your overall bacterial risk for disease progression. As with most diseases, earlier treatment and targeted treatment can help stop periodontal disease before irreversible damage occurs.
In addition to this bacterial DNA test, we can also offer you a genetic susceptibility test that will tell us if your genetic makeup puts you at greater risk for developing gum tissue infections (due to exaggerated immune response). This will further enable us to optimize your therapy and continuing care program.
If you or a loved one is in need of either of these tests, please call us at (765)288-6121 for more information. It is our vision to continually collaborate with our patients, finding ideal plans that show our commitment to outstanding treatment, our commitment to cutting edge dentistry, and our commitment to meeting our patients’ unrecognized needs, thus providing them with a true “peak” experience!