BANA Test for oral pathogens

Saliva Test, Bana test, Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus

BANA Test
for Periodontal Risk

Why not get a handle on Gum Disease before it gets serious?

Periodontal Disease (gum disease) is a quiet and dangerous disease. By the time you begin seeing symptoms ( bleeding, pain...) it is well advanced and saving your teeth at that point could cost you tens of thousands of dollars on something you could be preventing all along!

Using the BANA test strips gives you a good indication of the presence and levels of bacteria known to be high risk factors in tooth and gum decay.

Simply take a plaque sample, wipe it on the test strip and wait 24 hours. By the test results, you'll be aware of the presence and general level of infectious bacteria.

Take measures to improve your oral hygiene and re-test in 30 - 45 days. If the levels have decreased, you are doing the job in fighting gum disease and saving your teeth and you will know it!

What are the risks in not taking steps toward prevention...?

Are My Bad Teeth Killing me?

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    The BANA Test is a highly sensitive, inexpensive and easy-to-use test for malodor and periodontal risk. The BANA Test can detect the bacteria associated with malodor and periodontal disease simply by applying subgingival plaques to a small test strip.

The Science

        The BANA Test is a modification of the BANA hydrolysis test developed by Dr. Walter Loesche and colleagues at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. It exploits an unusual enzyme found in Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus, three anaerobic bacteria highly associated with adult periodontitis and malodor.

     Of some 60 subgingival plaque species, only these three possess an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the synthetic peptide Benzoyl-DL-Arginine-NaphthylAmide (BANA) present on BANA test strips. If any of the three species is present, they hydrolize the BANA enzyme producing B -naphthylamide which in turn reacts with an imbedded diazo dye to produce a permanent blue color indicative of a positive test. Socransky and Haffajee, in an extensive study of over 10,000 plaque samples, found that these three BANA positive species were the most prevalent of over 40 other plaque species that were evaluated by DNA probes.

How it works

        For periodontal risk assessment, subgingival plaque is obtained with an 'interdental cleaner.' The samples are placed on the BANA test strip and put aside for 24 hours. If P. gingivalis, B. forsythus or T. denticola are present, the test strip turns blue. The darker the blue, the higher the concentration and the greater the number of organisms.

ORDER:

Sorry, currently unavailable. (1/15/07) (Please do not write or call regarding where you can get this test done, when I will have it back in stock, etc. Unfortunately, I have no immediate plans to re-stock this item. The only place you can have this test done is in the dental office, and I do not have a list of those offices - you will have to call around in your city to find one. Thank you for your understanding. -Tom)