Introduction to Clinical Microbiology for the General Dentist.
Clinical oral microbiology may help dental professionals identify infecting pathogenic species and evaluate their in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility. Saliva, dental plaque biofilms, mucosal smears, abscess aspirates, and soft tissue biopsies are sources of microorganisms for laboratory testing. Microbial-based treatment end points may help clinicians better identify patients in need of additional or altered dental therapies before the onset of clinical treatment failure, and help improve patient oral health outcomes. Microbiological testing appears particularly helpful in periodontal disease treatment planning. Further research and technological advances are likely to increase the availability and clinical utility of microbiological analysis in modern dental practice.
Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Oral Microbiology Testing Service Laboratory, Temple University School of Dentistry, 3223 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. Electronic address: trams@temple.edu.
Thomas E
TE
Rams
Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University Medical Center Groningen, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen 9713 AV, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands.
Arie J
AJ
van Winkelhoff
D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing; Clinical microbiology technology; Microbial risk assessment; Microbiological testing; Oral microbiology