Innovative technologies for early detection of gum disease

Vienna, 12 May 2025 – Two studies presented at EuroPerio11, organised by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) highlight how innovative diagnostic technologies: infrared thermography and metabolomic profiling, could revolutionise periodontal disease detection. These advancements could enhance early diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and provide new tools for precision oral health screening.  

Using infrared technology to spot gum disease

Traditional periodontal diagnosis relies on clinical and radiographic assessments, but a new study from Ain Shams University, Egypt ^[i], has demonstrated that infrared thermographic imaging can detect gingivitis and periodontitis with high accuracy. By measuring temperature variations caused by inflammation, researchers successfully differentiated between healthy gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis.  

The research presented at EuroPerio11 found that infrared imaging had a sensitivity of 90.7% for detecting periodontitis and 93% for gingivitis, confirming its potential as a non-invasive, real-time diagnostic tool. “Inflammation may alter local temperature patterns, and this study confirmed that infrared thermography may provide a non-invasive and specific method to detect periodontal disease. This could be a game-changer in early detection, especially in settings where traditional diagnostic tools are less accessible,” explains Professor Lior Shapira, EuroPerio11 scientific chair. “In addition, periodontal probing, which is the standard diagnosis method today, is an unpleasant procedure, particularly in inflamed gums. Such non-invasive new methods will be more acceptable by patients, particularly in children and adolescents.”

Simple oral rinse test can identify severe gum disease

Meanwhile, a study from the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA) and Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Netherlands^[ii] explored how metabolomic profiling of oral rinse samples can distinguish patients with severe periodontitis from healthy individuals.  

By analysing metabolites using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), researchers identified biochemical signatures linked to severe periodontitis, particularly in patients with a high number of deep gum pockets.

These findings suggest that simple oral rinse tests could serve as non-invasive screening tools for identifying high-risk individuals, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and improved disease management.  

Commenting on these advancements, Prof. Shapira stated: "These studies showcase the transformative potential of novel diagnostic tools in periodontology. The ability to identify gum disease using non-invasive methods like thermography and metabolomic profiling could revolutionise early detection and prevention, ultimately improving patient care. Integrating such technologies into clinical practice may pave the way for more accessible, precise and cost-effective periodontal diagnostic, helping detect periodontal disease earlier benefiting both dentists and patients."  

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^[i] An Innovative Method for Using Infrared Thermography to Diagnose Periodontal Diseases. M. AbdalWahab¹, S. Nabile², O. Ezzat^{. 1}Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Periodontology, Cairo, Egypt, ²Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt^.

^[ii]Abstract Metabolomic Profiles of Oral Rinse Samples to Distinguish Severe Periodontitis Patients from Non-periodontitis Controls   M.X.F. Kosho¹, A. Ciurli², M. Giera², J. Neefjes², B.G. Loos^{1 1}Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Department of Periodontology, Amsterdam, Netherlands, ²Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden, Netherlands