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Salivary DNA Testing - DIAGNOdent 

Dr. Craig Smith Is Now Offering Two Salivary DNA Tests to Fight Gum Disease!

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 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. (www.OralDNA.com) 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.

Ask about our Oral DNA tests if you have been diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease or you have any of the following indicators:

• Inflamed, red, or bleeding tissue
• Bone loss evidenced by periodontal pockets or x-rays
• Family history of periodontal disease
• Smoking or any history of tobacco use
• Other conditions, such as diabetes, that increase your susceptibility
• Certain medications, such as asthma inhalers or steroids
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth

Every year we learn more about the connection between oral health and whole-body health and oral disease causing systemic disease.  By knowing what bacteria are in your mouth and being aware of your proclivity towards disease, we can help you to be as health as you can be.  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.

KaVo DIAGNOdent 

Find and treat cavities even when you can't see them. 

The KaVo DIAGNOdent is an invaluable tool in the detection of cavities (caries) when the tooth looks whole and healthy on the surface, or when only a small portion of the cavity is visible. The DIAGNOdent's sensitive laser probe locates even the smallest and newly-developed hidden caries in the teeth with high accuracy and no scraping, no tissue damage and no radiation. It works by measuring differences in fluorescence between healthy and diseased tissue. Its laser light can penetrate into tiny fissures to allow dentists to see further inside the tooth with more detail than has ever been possible with traditional dental instruments, including X-rays. Based on the DIAGNOdent's findings, your dentist will recommend the best course of treatment, from simple preventive measures to minimally invasive restoration to more extensive dental work.