Polymerase Chain Reaction: A New Era in Detection of Periodontopathogens

Abstract

Aim: Various techniques like cultural methods, Immunofluorescence and ELISA have largely been used for studies of microbial ecology. But nowdays PCR is used as a diagnostic tool that can detect even small numbers of periodontal pathogens with a high degree of accuracy. In this study, the quantity of periodontal pathogens (P.gingivalis, T.denticola, T.forsythia and A.actinomycetemcomitans) in saliva, preoperatively and postoperatively after scaling and root planing was compared by using multiplex PCR test. Materials and Method : Unstimulated saliva of 30 chronic periodontitis patients was taken preoperatively by spitting method in eppendorf vial. After treatment i.e scaling and root planing again saliva of the same patient was taken and sent to the laboratory of Maratha Mandal Dental College, Department of Microbiology, Belgaum, Karnataka for PCR analysis. Results : Quantity of three bacteria (T.d, A.a, P.g) were reduced significantly after scaling and root planing as compared to T.f which did not show statistically significant reduction. Conclusion : Non-surgical therapy like scaling and root planing plays a very important part in treating the patients of chronic periodontitis.

Keywords

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Oxygen radicals
• Tooth bleaching.