[Mendelian randomization and its application in periodontitis]

Mendelian randomization is a causal inference method using genetic variations as instrumental variables, which skillfully takes advantages of the distributive randomness and timing priority of genetic variation, effectively avoiding confounding biases and reverse causalities in traditional observational researches. It has become a research hotspot in recent years. As a complex inflammatory disease, periodontitis is associated with many factors, but the cognitions about these associations are mostly based on traditional observational studies, lacking strong evidences to infer the causality. In order to bring up new research ideas in the periodontal field, this article mainly reviewed Mendelian randomization and its research progress in periodontitis.