Diagnosis of periodontal disease using the Skin Carotenoid Score

Objective: Periodontal disease is caused by an increase of pathogenic bacteria and a decrease in immunity. Treponema denticola is a causal bacterium for periodontal disease, and immunity to this bacterium is indicated by the antioxidant level. This study investigated the crisis period of periodontal disease due to the existence of Treponema denticola, and the Skin Carotenoid Score (SCS), which has a positive relationship to antioxidant levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 78 patients (33 men, 45 women; mean age of 53.9 years) were categorized into the following three groups. In Group A (26 patients), gingival pain and swelling were symptoms of periodontal disease, and Treponema denticola was detected using a laboratory saliva test (BANA-Zyme, Hakusui Trading Co. Ltd., Japan) and phase-contrast microscopy (Perio Saver 2.0, OLYMPUS, Japan). In Group B (26 patients), only a slight incompatibility from periodontal disease and Treponema denticola was detected. In Group C (26 patients, Control), the gingival tissue was normal, and Treponema denticola was not detected. The SCS of all patients was measured using a Biophotonic Scanner (Pharmanex, USA). The mean SCS value of each group was compared and statistically analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test at a significance level of a=0.05. Results: The mean SCS value of each group with (SD) were Group A: 344,230 (70,550); Group B: 287,692 (97,507); and Group C: 171,923 (116,893). Group A indicated a significantly higher SCS than Group C (P<0.05). Periodontal disease was observed when the Skin Carotenoid Score was less than 130,000 and Treponema denticola was detected. In contrast, periodontal disease was not found when the SCS was more than 260,000, and Treponema denticola was not detected. Conclusion: Periodontal disease may be diagnosed by both the confirmation of the presence of Treponema denticola and by measuring the SCS instead of the antioxidant level.