Early Diagnosis Now Possible for Periodontitis
Gene expression signatures may hold the key for earlier diagnosis and a more specified, personal treatment for sever periodontitis. This new system of classifying periodontal disease was developed by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). The new classification system works by analyzing the genetic signature of affected tissue, rather than the previous method of relying solely on clinical signs and symptoms. The new system means earlier detection and a more individualized treatment plan for sever periodontitis. Early detection could have large implications for the patient like treating the periodontitis before the loss of teeth and supportive bone. As it stands now the two classifications for periodontal disease are “chronic” or “aggressive.” These classifications are determined by symptoms like how much the gums are swelling or if there is bone loss occurring. The leader of the CUMC study, Panos N. Papapanous, DDS, PhD, states that, “there is much overlap between the two classes…many patients with sever symptoms can be effectively treated, while other with seemingly less sever infection may continue to lose support around their teeth even after therapy. Basically, we don’t know whether a periodontal infection is truly aggressive until sever, irreversible damage has occurred.” The new classification system, that was developed based on cancer research, uses a genetic signature. The gene expression signature from patient’s gum samples fell into two different categories, however Dr. Papapanous notes that these, “two clusters did differ with respect to the extent and severity of periodontitis, with significantly more serious disease in cluster 2. The study also found higher levels of infection by known oral pathogens, as well as a higher percentage of males, in Cluster 2 than in Cluster 1, in keeping with the well-established observation that severe periodontitis is more common in men than in women.” This means that in the future molecular profiling of tissues from the mouth can be a great indicator as to the presence and severity of disease and may help save patients in the future.
