Dr. Stewart embraces the ever-advancing technologies and techniques within dentistry. This is mainly because he has personally witnessed how early detection and identification can help prevent serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions. He now offers a painless oral DNA screening that can be completed during your regular preventative cleaning and examination. It not only helps to prevent and treat periodontal disease, but detects the human papillomavirus (HPV) as well. Dr. Hal Stewart and Sheri Stouard, our amazing Dental Hygienist, are very knowledgeable in Oral DNA testing. Watch our video to learn more:
How Does Oral DNA Screening Work?
A simple saliva test can be completed at our office in less than a minute. You simply swish a saline solution around in your mouth for 30 seconds and discard it into a collection tube. The sample is sealed and sent off to the OralDNA laboratory for analysis. That’s it! Your results will be provided in an electronic result report.
Periodontal Disease
Millions of adults suffer from some form of periodontal disease. The symptoms are wide ranging, from minor gum irritation and inflammation, to serious soft tissue damage that can increase your chances for tooth loss. The good news is that early detection can help to prevent it altogether. A safe, effective oral screening provides Dr. Stewart with valuable diagnostic information to treat your individualized needs.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
You may be surprised to learn that 20 million people in America are infected with HPV and those numbers are increasing by millions each year. HPV is a viral infection that can be found in the mouth. It has been correlated to an increased risk for developing oral, head, and neck cancer. Often times, an individual with oral HPV will have no idea because there are typically no symptoms. But with early detection using this state-of-the-art oral screening, Dr. Stewart can identify the presence or absence of oral HPV.
There is a direct link between oral health and different systemic diseases. With a simple spit test, we can do specific oral DNA testing of your genetic markers and see what you’re predisposed to. Then we can develop a treatment plan to make your mouth as healthy as possible.