Molecular mapping of periodontal tissues using infrared microspectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth. Infrared microspectroscopy has the potential to simultaneously monitor multiple disease markers, including cellular infiltration and collagen catabolism, and hence differentiate diseased and healthy tissues. Therefore, our aim was to establish an infrared microspectroscopy methodology with which to analyze and interpret molecular maps defining pathogenic processes in periodontal tissues.