Diagnostic tests for periodontal disease activity.

Destructive periodontal disease is found in a significant number of adult patients. At present there is no reliable method of determining the presence of active periodontal disease, other than retrospectively. Tests are being developed that rely on various markers of periodontal disease activity but all of those produced to date have limitations. It is to be hoped that reliable tests that can be used at the chairside will help the general dental practitioner to combat periodontal disease before it progresses too far.