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Oral DNA

Dr. Parikh is now using one of the most significant advances in dental medicine, a simple DNA test using saliva, to determine the specific type and quantity of disease-causing bacteria in his patients' mouths! According to the American Dental Association, an estimated 75% of all Americans over the age of 35 have some form of periodontal disease1 and research conducted during the past 10 years has provided insight into the Perio / Systemic Connection and the link between chronic periodontal infections and heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some forms of cancer. The detection and monitoring of these disease-causing bacteria is critical to treatment success.

MyPerioID PST®
that will reveal if your genetic makeup puts you at greater risk for developing gum tissue infections.4 This test gives better insight into how an individual's immune system will respond to the presence of harmful bacteria, further enabling Dr. Parikh to optimize therapy.

These exciting new tests are for anyone with or without symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease. Symptoms may include bleeding gums, bad breath, red or inflamed gums, or loss of bone around your teeth. Other indications for this test are pretreatment clearance for extensive dental procedures and, in some cases, surgical clearance (such as heart surgery or joint replacements). Both tests are performed by swishing a small amount of sterile saline throughout the mouth for 30 seconds. The saliva sample is then sent to OralDNA LabsTM Inc. (www.OralDNA.com) for processing.

The MyPerioPath lab report identifies harmful bacteria associated with gum infections and helps Dr. Parikh  develop a more effective treatment plan. Through this state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Parikh  is able to treat the source of the infection and not just the symptoms. The goal of therapy then becomes to reduce the overall bacterial risk for disease progression. As with most diseases, earlier and more targeted treatment can help stop periodontal disease before irreversible damage occurs.

In addition to this bacterial DNA test, Dr. Parikh also offers a genetic susceptibility test called MyPerioID PST® that will reveal if your genetic makeup puts you at greater risk for developing gum tissue infections.4 This test gives better insight into how an individual's immune system will respond to the presence of harmful bacteria, further enabling Dr. Parikh to optimize therapy.