Periodontal Testing

Our dental office is pleased to announce the availability of two periodontal disease tests: MyPerioPath® and MyPerioID®.

These tests are important, as periodontal disease is fairly common and may lead to tooth loss if not successfully treated. Some people are at a higher risk of having or developing periodontal disease. These include those who smoke and those with other conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. People with certain genetic characteristics might also be at higher risk.

Certain bacteria in the mouth can cause inflammation of the gums. This is why periodontal disease is commonly referred to as gum disease. The gum can pull away from the teeth, forming pockets in which bacteria can grow and cause further damage, leading to tooth loss.

Diagnosis and treatment is important for your overall health and well-being. These two tests, newly available at our office, can help optimize treatment. The MyPerioPath test finds out which bacteria can be triggering the periodontal disease. The MyPerioID test can tell if the patient has changes in his/her DNA that might mean that he/she is at greater risk of more serious disease. The information provided by these two tests helps Dr. Scapillato come up with the treatment plan that is right for each patient.

These tests are performed using a saliva sample, which is easy and fast to collect. The patient simply swishes a sterile saline solution in his/her mouth and spits it into a tube. The sample is then sent to a lab, where the test is performed. Test results are returned to our office for evaluation.

For more information, or to answer any questions you may have about either of these salivary diagnostic tests, please don't hesitate to give our office a call.