[Searches for the genes associated with periodontitis with gene polymorphisms]

Periodontitis is considered to be a common disease which onset and progression seems to be associated with genetic factors and many environmental factors, especially, the amount and composition of bacterial plaque. Previous studies have shown an association between periodontitis and polymorphisms in some genes, however, the critical loci for periodontal disease have not yet been identified. In the future, whole-genome association studies with periodontitis would suggest that the genetic susceptibility loci for periodontitis and provides important information for elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in the etiology of periodontal disease.