When cogs and gears fail- role of genetics in periodontal diseases

Microbiological & environmental factors reportedly either initiate or modulate the course of periodontal diseases. But the response to these factors especially environmental is dependent on the patient’s genome. Thus variations in genetic factors are implicated in periodontal diseases. Several study designs have been structured to establish the extent of the impact of genetic factors in the causation as well as modulation of the course of periodontal diseases. There are several mechanisms which cause alteration of the genetic factors leading to periodontal pathology. Most notable among them are polymorphisms of several genetic factors such as interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor gene etc. But the exploration of the “master gene” responsible for periodontal disease in an otherwise healthy individual still continues. No doubt evidence till date suggests that periodontal disease is a complex multifactorial interaction but it is actually the genes which hold the key to unearthing hidden answers as they are truly the cogs and gears of our system.