Genetic Biomarkers

Bacterial virulence factors either result in the degradation of host tissues or cause the release of biological mediators from the host tissue cells that lead to host tissue destruction. Mediators produced as a part of the host response contributing to tissue destruction include proteinases, cytokines, and prostaglandins. Also, a variety of enzymes produced by periodontal microorganisms cause tissue destruction. Early diagnosis and treatment of progressive periodontitis is important because of the progressive nature of this disease.3Traditional clinical measurements like probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment loss, plaque index, and radiographs used for periodontal diagnosis are of limited usefulness in that they are indicators of previous periodontal disease rather than present disease activity.