OralDNA Diagnostic Test Chapel Hill, NC

OralDNA and Disease Detection

OralDNA diagnostic testing can detect a variety of diseases, including:

• Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea in the oropharynx
• Herpes simplex virus in the oropharynx, types 1 and 2
• HPV-related oral cancers
• Novel coronavirus
• Yeast infections

It can also assess a patient’s risk for periodontal infections, development of cavities, and HPV-related oral cancers. Additionally, OralDNA testing can identify early warning signs of oral pathogens and analyze gene markers concerning inflammatory responses. None of these tests are more complicated than having the patient provide a simple oral rinse collection.

Patients can also choose to undergo Alert 2™, a diagnostic test for both gum disease-causing oral pathogens and inherited genetic risk. Dentists can use these results to create the best treatment plan tailor-made for the patient’s unique and individual needs. These results may also assist dentists in identifying any potential related systemic health risks.

How OralDNA Testing Works

OralDNA testing is a quick and painless procedure that requires minimal effort on behalf of the patient. Sample collection requires the patient to swish and gargle a 5mL saline solution vigorously for 30 seconds, then spit it into the funneled collection tube. Our team will then open the preservative vial and pour the sample into the collection tube before preparing it to be sent off to the laboratory.

Like all salivary diagnostic testing, OralDNA diagnostic testing analyzes the secretions from the major and minor salivary glands, oro-nasopharyngeal secretions, gingival crevicular fluid, and cellular debris. Saliva contains all of these, along with antibodies, enzymes, growth factors, hormones, microbes, and their products. Many of these enter saliva through the blood. As such, saliva can be considered a reflection of the body’s physiological functionality.

What OralDNA Testing Can Tell You

OralDNA can detect various oral pathogens that may threaten a patient’s oral and systemic health. Many common pathogens that cause gum disease can also heighten one’s risk of other systemic conditions. OralDNA diagnostic testing can help determine if patients were bone with specific genetic markers associated with increased inflammation, which is frequently linked with such conditions. It can often also determine the root cause of bad breath, dental decay, and tooth loss.

Such analysis is achieved by analyzing saliva samples for specific biomarkers. Biomarkers are an essential component of one’s DNA. However, they are also found in antibodies, microbes, RNA, lipids, metabolites, and proteins. If these biomarkers are altered in action, concentration, function, or structure, the body may experience an onset, progression, or regression of a particular disorder or its immune response. Consequently, biomarkers are a critical tool in detecting, assessing, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring disease.

Interpreting OralDNA Test Results

MyPerioPath reports have two pages: a bacterial profile and clinical considerations. The bacterial profile consists of patient demographic information, along with a summary of the test results. Positive results indicate that the test has detected bacterial pathogens above the threshold level. The report will also show the patient’s bacterial risk, along with a graphic representation of which pathogens are present and whether they meet the pathogen load threshold. At the end of the page, there is a section detailing any clinical significance these pathogens may have on a patient’s risk for periodontal disease.

The clinical considerations page will also include the patient’s demographic information and a summary and graphic presentation of the test results. However, it will also present various therapeutic options for a patient’s unique pathogen profile and any follow-up testing recommendations. The latter half of the page includes a summary of the patient’s clinical information at the time of testing and relevant links to additional information at MyOralDNA.com.