Fig. 2

a An examination of the teeth and periodontal tissues, together with the use of a probe to determine the depth of the pockets, is typically sufficient to make a diagnosis. Periodontitis is characterized by pockets deeper than 4 mm. b Dental X-rays reveal alveolar bone loss around the periodontal pockets. Periodontal biomarker analysis using test strips may be a rapid and straightforward way to distinguish between persons with periodontitis and those in normal dental health. The increase in lactoferrin, hemoglobin, and leucocytes revealed by strip testing may give a non-invasive method of identifying periodontal disease [48, 50]