MICROBIOLOGICAL MONITORING

If periodontal disease is due to a limited number of bacterial species , then continuous maximal plaque suppression is not the only possibili ty for prevention and therapy Specific elimination or reduction of pat hogenic bacteria from plaque becomes a valid alternative. Recent studi es indicate that the elimination of certain putative pathogens is part icularly difficult. New diagnostic methods should allow the choice of better suited procedures, make chosen procedures more effective (throu gh better timing, dosage, selection of devices or drugs, increase of s pecificity, etc.) or lead to the elimination of unnecessary work (e.g. , the treatment of non-susceptible sites or patients). The benefit of newly proposed tests depends on the possible impact of the obtained in formation on clinical decisions and on the consequences these decision s have for treatment. Thus, diagnostic methods and therapeutical optio ns have to be evaluated together.