The use of polymerase chain reaction in patients with periodontal disease before prosthetic treatment

Introduction
Periodontal diseases depend heavily on the proliferation of certain pathogenic bacterial species that destroy the periodontium and carry a risk of tissue metastasis. Due to these reasons, the identification as well as assessment of quantity and quality and specific antibiotic therapy of bacterial flora are all crucial in treatment and prevention of the ensuing repercussions of periodontal infections.

Objectives
The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of Parodontitis/Periimplantitis-Erreger-Test (PET test) in patients with periodontal diseases in planning the prosthetic treatment.

Material and methods
We examined 8 patients who had reported the need for filling in dental pockets that were also diagnosed with inflammation of the periodontium. For identifying the periopathogens in a gingival pocket we used the PET test by MIP Pharma.

Results
Despite the removal of dental plaque, a satisfactory state of periodontium was not achieved. After the PET test and the employment of specific antibiotic therapy the state of the periodontium was significantly improved and thus prosthetic fillings were made available. In patients examined after a year there was no observable inflammation in the periodontal region.

Conclusions
Microbiological analysis of gingival pockets during periodontal inflammation makes for a good support in diagnostics and prognosis. Despite copious bibliography on the issue and constant development of analytical techniques, using this type of diagnostics in everyday practice is still rare and in need of popularization. The PET test is a perfect tool for identifying the periopathogens and ascertaining the antibiotic therapy needed.