A Host-Centered Approach to Periodontal Diagnostics

This presentation, A Host-Centered Approach to Periodontal Diagnostics, seeks to provide the attendees with an understanding that:

1. Periodontitis is a microbiome-facilitated disease. However, the microbiome is NOT the underlying cause.
2. Bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and parasites such as Entamoeba gingivalis are opportunists taking advantage of a compromised host.
3. Iron dysregulation in the form of ferroptosis lies at the etiological core of the pathological process that ultimately destroys the attachment apparatus.
4. Not all patients with active attachment loss present with obvious signs of inflammation.
5. The clues as to whether or not this breakdown process is active can be garnered from multiple sources. We will review what these clues are and what kind of testing is available to uncover additional evidence.