Oral DNA Testing
Using DNA for healthy smiles…
One of the most significant advances in dental medicine, a simple DNA test, can now determine the specific type and quantity of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth!
These bacteria, if left untreated, can cause periodontal disease, tooth loss, and also affect your risk for developing other systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (among others).
This exciting new test is for anyone with or without symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease. These symptoms include: bleeding gums, bad breath, red or inflamed gums or loss of bone around your teeth. Other indications for this test would be prior to extensive dental procedures and in some cases, surgical clearance (such as heart surgery or joint replacements).
This gentle oral rinse procedure is performed by swishing a small amount of sterile saline throughout the mouth and can be done in about 30 seconds. The sample is then sent to OralDNA Labs, Inc. for processing.
The lab report that we get back will identify the bacteria associated with the gum infection and allow us to develop a far more powerful and effective treatment plan. Through this state-of-the-art technology, we are now able treat the cause of the infection and not just the symptoms. The goal of therapy then becomes to reduce your overall bacterial risk for disease progression. As with most diseases, earlier treatment and targeted treatment can help stop periodontal disease before irreversible damage occurs.
In addition to this bacterial DNA test, we can also offer you a genetic susceptibility test that will tell us if your genetic makeup puts you at greater risk for developing gum tissue infections (due to an exaggerated immune response). This will further enable us to optimize your therapy and recare program.
Oral HPV is a manifestation of the Human Papilloma Virus in the mouth, and is primarily found in the oropharynx (mouth and throat). This virus is very commonly found in adults, and can be transmitted from person to person. Specific types of oral HPV are now considered to be separate risk factors for developing oral and throat cancers. Early detection and identification of the presence or absence of oral HPV is important, as early oral HPV infections do not typically cause any clinical signs or symptoms.
The OraRisk® HPV test is a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool to identify the type(s) of oral HPV present. OraRisk® HPV helps Dr. Glerum to determine if oral HPV is present, to educate patients on the importance of oral health, and to determine appropriate referral and monitoring conditions. Our office is one of the few in the area offering this important early diagnostic and screening test.
In our office, we use clinical laboratory services from OralDNA Labs™ to ensure we are giving our patients the best oral health information possible. OralDNA Labs™ is a specialty diagnostics company designed to provide reliable, definitive and cost-effective clinical tests that guide oral health professionals in detecting and prognosing disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.
If you or a loved one is in need of either of these tests, please call for more information.
It is our mission to offer you the most cutting edge, comprehensive oral-systemic healthcare available.
