The following is an edited excerpt.
In a new study published online in the Journal of Dental Research, Dr. William Giannobile, the Najjar Endowed Professor of Dentistry and Biomedical Engineering at University of Michigan explored the link between long-term tooth loss and frequency of preventive dental visits (teeth cleanings) in adult patients with and without three key risk factors for periodontal disease: smoking, diabetes and interleukin-1 genetic variations.
In high-risk patients with two or three risk factors, more than two cleanings per year may be needed to prevent tooth loss. In low-risk patients, those who had no risk factors, the second cleaning did not have significant value in reducing tooth loss beyond that achieved with one cleaning each year.
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Read the full story here: Genetic testing, personalized care may help prevent tooth loss
