This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This study is being conducted to test the ability and accuracy of a new instrument in the diagnosis of periodontitis (gum disease) by using fluids from the mouth. The diagnosis instrument will test two types of fluids, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva. GCF is the fluid that accumulates between your teeth and gum tissue. The fluids will be collected in three ways: 1. Direct GCF sampling: Thin paper films will be inserted into the space between the teeth and gums to absorb the fluid; 2. GCF rinse sampling: The patient will rinse with saline solution (water with salt content concentration similar to biological fluids) and spit into a tube; 3. Whole saliva: The patient will spit saliva into a tube. A total of 100 adult patients will participate in this study. These subjects will be of two patient populations: 1) diseased population, with active gum disease; and 2) a low-risk disease population, with no active gum disease. All subjects will have at least 20 teeth and not have received periodontal treatment or antibiotic-related therapy for medical or dental reasons 3 months prior to study inclusion. Patients will also be excluded from the study if they receive long-term use of medications known to affect periodontal status such as anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and ibuprofen. The patients will also possess no history of metabolic bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or post-menopausal osteoporosis. Patients will be seen 6 times over the course of the study over a period of approximately 12 months. At each visit the patient will undergo oral fluid collection, as previously described, and thorough examinations of the mouth, including the taking of measurements for study purposes. Patients will also have CT/radiographs taken at baseline, month 6, and end of study visits. At the end of the oral fluid collection period subjects will receive a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) or a regular cleaning (prophy), dependent upon patient s needs.
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