Dentistry

Abstract

Clinical And Systemic Implications Of Periodontal Disease Susceptibility: The Importance Of IL-6 Polymorphism

Herbert I Bader

The importance of the genetic influence on disease susceptibility has been well-established. The genetic regulation of the immune response is a subject of considerable ongoing research in terms of periodontal inflammation and its squeal. The development of commercially available DNA-PCR salivary testing represents an important translational development in our understanding and management of periodontitis. This paper will discuss the importance of interleukin polymorphism, especially IL-6 and its role in the determination of disease susceptibility in the periodontal patient. The clinical significance of salivary diagnostics is emphasized as an important part of the decision-making process. This type of testing and the rapidly developing innovations can literally change the way we manage patients. 1.1. Clinical significance: By providing us with knowledge of the patient's predisposition to a hyper inflammatory reaction we can intervene at an earlier stage of disease development with considerably better long-term outcome.