Predictive dentistry: a study in carbohydrate metabolism.

The virtues of prediction in the so-called health sciences are well-known. There is still small but burgeoning interest in predictive medicine; little has been done in predictive dentistry. The evidence presented in this report suggests that carbohydrate metabolism may be utilized as a predictive instrument in dentistry. While the emphasis in this document rests on biochemical techniques, there are other avenues, physiologic ones, such as photomotogrammetry, which can also be used. It is hoped that these paradigms will catalyze interest in this fascinating subject and generate research by others along these lines.