title: Polymerase chain reaction: A molecular diagnostic tool in periodontology.
abstract: This review discusses the principles of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application as a diagnostic tool in periodontology. The relevant MEDLINE and PubMed indexed journals were searched manually and electronically by typing PCR, applications of PCR, PCR in periodontics, polymorphism studies in periodontitis, and molecular techniques in periodontology. The searches were limited to articles in English language and the articles describing PCR process and its relation to periodontology were collected and used to prepare a concise review. PCR has now become a standard diagnostic and research tool in periodontology. Various studies reveal that its sensitivity and specificity allow it as a rapid, efficient method of detecting, identifying, and quantifying organism. Different immune and inflammatory markers can be identified at the mRNA expression level, and also the determination of genetic polymorphisms, thus providing the deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying the periodontal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Rajendran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maheaswari
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Jaishree Tukaram
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kshirsagar
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Nallasivam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lavanya
keywords: Applications of polymerase chain reaction; identification of periodontal organisms; mRNA expression; molecular techniques in periodontology; polymerase chain reaction