The past few years have been overflowing with tremendous growth in the area of DNA testing for periodontal disease. In early 2007, I learned of DNA testing from Dr. Tom Nabors, Nashville. Dr. Nabors was one of the first to bring DNA-PCR testing for use in private practice, to this country and has a significant background in the use of molecular testing for periodontal disease. Convinced of its critical value in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease, I immediately began incorporating DNA testing into my clinical protocol. I then began teaching DNA testing as an integral part of our Perio Arts Institute (PAI) protocol for treating periodontal disease. As part of their seminar participation, those who attend the PerioPassion! Seminars at PAI will receive valuable information regarding the application and implementation of DNA testing.
There are two DNA-PCR laboratory facilities in the United States that have been approved for nucleic acid testing for periodontal diseases. As a result of the latest DNA research and analyzed by the esteemed periodontal researcher, Dr Ken Kornman, as well as the research performed at Perio Arts Research, (the research division of PAI), I would highly recommend OralDNA Labs, under the direction of Dr. Tom Nabors. I have recently toured their new facility and was highly impressed with the level of technical operations present, as well as the sophistication of the team at OralDNA. Their level of commitment remains second to none. At PAI, independent testing of their bacterial DNA results compared to the other lab’s results indicate a greater sensitivity in diagnosing periodontal pathogens, as well. As their website states, “They are a state-of-the-art oral diagnostics laboratory using gold standard, DNA-PCR technology to accurately determine the bacterial and genetic causes of periodontal infections. Their two diagnostic tests identify causative pathogens, bacterial load, stage of progression and determine who is most susceptible.”
I have no ownership status at OralDNA and PAI nor I have received compensation for our research or this endorsement.
Visit our website www.cent4dent.com and see the Floss or Die Pages, for further information
Founder and Director, Perio Arts Institute www.PerioArtsInstitute.com
SamahaDDS@PWDentalArts.com
About OralDNA Labs, Inc. (http://www.OralDNA.com):
OralDNA Labs, Inc. is a specialty diagnostics company created to advance clinical testing in the dental community. Our goal is to help the dental profession achieve better clinical outcomes by providing reliable, definitive and cost effective clinical tests that drive the detection and prognosis of disease at an earlier, more treatable stage, with an initial focus on periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that causes an inflammatory response. The disease is present in an estimated three quarters of the adult population in the United States, with 30-35% of this population having a genetic trait which predisposes these individuals to more serious forms of the disease. If patients are not properly diagnosed and treated at early stages, periodontal disease can lead to bone loss, tooth loss and implant failure. Research now suggests an increased risk to a number of systemic diseases when chronic periodontal infections are left untreated.
OralDNA offers two DNA-PCR tests for periodontal disease diagnosis and genetic susceptibility. MyPerioPathsm detects the presence and quantity of specific bacteria associated with periodontal disease. MyPerioIDsm PST®, licensed through a marketing, sales and distribution agreement with Interleukin Genetics, provides a means of assessing an individual’s genetic risk for periodontal disease.
The company is also developing an oral HPV test for use in assessing risks associated with oral cancer. Thereafter, OralDNA intends to develop a broader menu of clinical laboratory tests for use in oral medicine.
DNA testing recommendations and OralDNA 109.doc