Microscopic Monitoring of Pathogens Associated with Periodontal Diseases

M icroscopic monitoring of the subgingival microbiota to detect pathogens associated with periodontal diseases has been an active area of investigation. Researchers have demonstrated that plaque samples obtained at diseased sites contain more motile bacteria and less coccoid forms than healthy sites. Therapy at diseased locations has resulted in a shift in the microbiota to one that resembles healthy sites. However, the ability to predict disease activity based on morphotype counts still remains unverified. The current literature addressing chairside microscopic assessments as a diagnostic parameter is reviewed and discussed.