title: Genetic risk for severe periodontal disease.
abstract: The discovery of a genetic marker that is highly associated with increased risk for severe periodontitis is a major breakthrough in the clinical management of all dental patients. The marker is not diagnostic; rather, it is a prognostic test, and it is used to identify patients who are much more susceptible to plaque. Individuals who have the marker have a 6 to 19 times higher chance of getting severe periodontitis than those who do not have the marker. It is estimated that 30% of the US population will test positive. This new information supplements existing microbiology and immunology research. A limitation with the established view of the etiology of periodontal disease makes it difficult to explain to patients why they are more or less at risk based solely on their level of oral hygiene. It has also been difficult to predict the clinical outcomes of various treatments for individual patients because each person responds differently to their own plaque. The genetic discovery helps to explain why some people with a little plaque have a lot of disease, and why other people with a lot of plaque have only minor problems. By incorporating the constant factor, genetics, into your philosophy of practice, the patient's periodontal needs and desires can be better understood and managed.
authors.affiliation: Medical Science Systems, Inc. Newport Beach, California, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D018450:Disease Progression; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D007375:Interleukin-1