Future treatment and diagnostic strategies for periodontal diseases.

Many new technologies have been developed or are being developed that could enhance the ability to diagnose, predict, and treat periodontitis. Newer treatment strategies may allow clinicians to achieve limited or more robust regeneration of the periodontium. New or refreshed approaches to disease control are being pursued that will benefit those suffering from chronic periodontal disease. In addition to novel therapeutics, there has been increasing focus on the development of more sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for periodontal diseases. Such tests will allow the clinician to determine whether a patient has active disease and what sort of attachment loss might be expected if the patient is not treated. By developing newer diagnostic tests, it also may be possible to detect and monitor active disease during therapy.