Bacteriologic monitoring of periodontal diseases: cultural, enzymatic, immunologic, and nucleic acid studies.

Evidence supporting the bacteriologic etiology of periodontal diseases has led investigators to monitor the microbiologic species associated with each disease. The type of study performed has evolved at different levels over the years and is predominantly influenced by available technologies. As the technology has advanced, so too have attempts at monitoring specific microorganisms. The ultimate goal in most research efforts on clinical bacteriologic monitoring of the periodontal diseases has been to obtain a method of measuring microorganisms in a specific, rapid, low-cost fashion. The method would be used on a daily basis at chairside in the dental operatory to direct treatment at a target microbial population, evaluate treatment, or predict future areas of attachment loss. It is suggested that future efforts try to incorporate microbiologic-host interactions that are likely to be important in the etiology and pathogenesis of the periodontal diseases.