The present disclosure relates to methods for characterizing and diagnosing dental diseases. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods for characterizing and diagnosing dental disease (e.g., gingivitis and periodontal disease) based on levels of AI-2 in oral fluids and plaque.

Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient has periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the Free Light Chain protein and/or the Free Light Chain . Based on the concentration(s) as measured, a value is determined reflecting the concentration or joint concentrations for said protein or proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the concentration or joint concentrations associated with periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of periodontitis in said patient. Thereby, typically, a testing value reflecting a concentration or joint concentration below the concentration or joint concentration reflected by the threshold value is indicative for absence of periodontitis in said patient, and a testing value reflecting a concentration or joint concentration at or above the concentration or joint concentration reflected by the threshold value, is indicative for periodontitis in said patient.

A system and method of in vivo testing for recently viable dental cellular debris is disclosed herein. The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for detecting for the presence of cellular debris from an endodontic cavity and other areas of a tooth by testing for the presence of cellular debris such as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The sample is collected from a tooth or endodontic cavity and combined with a chemical indicator which causes a detectable change in the indicator that is sensed by a luminescence reader. The level of ATP in a sample corresponds to the level of contamination still present in the tooth or endodontic cavity and can be used to determine what additional steps, if any, are necessary in order to clean and disinfect the tooth. This method of sampling the tooth or endodontic cavity allows for a rapid, chair-side, affordable, and easy to use method to determine the level of cellular contamination.

Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human subject has periodontitis. The method comprises detecting, in a sample of saliva from said subject, the concentrations of the proteins Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8). Based on the concentrations determined, and adding age, and possibly other demographic markers such as sex and/or BMI, a testing value reflecting the joint concentrations is determined for said proteins, in combination with one or more demographic markers. The testing value is compared with a threshold value. The threshold reflects in the same manner the joint concentrations and the age, and possibly other demographic markers, as associated with periodontitis and may be seen as an upper limit of testing values as seen in a population of subjects without periodontitis. Thereby a testing value at or above the threshold value is indicative for periodontitis in said subject.

Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient has gingivitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from gingivitis, the concentrations are measured of the certain protein combinations. One such combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP) and at least one of Matrix metal-loproteinase-8 (MMP8), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (M MP9), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Hemoglobin subunit beta (Hb-beta), and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with gingivitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of gingivitis in said patient. Thereby, typically, a testing value reflecting a joint concentration below the joint concentration reflected by the threshold value is indicative for absence of gingivitis in said patient, and a testing value reflecting a joint concentration at or above the joint concentration reflected by the threshold value, is indicative for gingivitis in said patient.

The disclosure provides compositions and methods for the detection of renal disease and periodontal disease in mammals.

The present invention is directed to an aptamer composition comprising at least one oligonucleotide consisting of: deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, derivatives of deoxyribonucleotides, derivatives of ribonucleotides, and mixtures thereof; wherein said aptamer composition has a binding affinity for one or more bacterial species from the genera Prevotella and Porphyromonas.

Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient is free from periodontal disease, has gingivitis, has mild periodontitis or has advanced periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva of a patient, the concentrations are measured of the proteins: Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1 AGP) and Pyruvate Kinase (PK), and at least one of the proteins Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and S100 calcium binding protein A8 (S100A8). Based on the concentrations as measured, at least one value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This at least one value may indicate the probability that human patient is free from periodontal disease, has gingivitis, has mild periodontitis or has advanced periodontitis. The at least one value can be compared with at least one threshold value reflecting in the same manner joint concentrations associated with gingivitis, mild or advanced periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the periodontal health status in said patient.

This invention relates to a method and device to improve the detection accuracy and performance for diagnosing dental disorders or diseases by improving the sensitivity of the Lateral-Flow Immunoassay (LFA). The present method and device are related to removing the protein interference (impurities) from sample and using aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) embedded entirely within a porous material, allowing spontaneous phase separation and concentration, for detection using the Lateral-Flow Immunoassay (LFA). The present invention also provides a platform technology for screening different types of specimens with increased sensitivity, and screening antibodies for optimal detection in various types of samples.

The present disclosure relates to methods for characterizing and diagnosing dental diseases. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods for characterizing and diagnosing dental disease (e.g., gingivitis and periodontal disease) based on levels of AI-2 in oral fluids and plaque.