Periodontitis is a complex, multifactorial inflammatory disease. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis has revealed several single nucleotide polymorphisms and genes associated with periodontal disease. This podcast discusses two of these genes and how their activation contributes to periodontal disease.

After completing this podcast, listeners should be able to:

• Define single nucleotide polymorphisms and identify two inflammasome genes with polymorphisms that are associated with increased severity of periodontal disease.

Elevated low-grade systemic inflammation, driven by specific cytokines, influences some common chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, and may inform how periodontal disease influences certain common chronic diseases. New perspectives on chronic inflammation are shared in this presentation.

After completing this podcast, listeners should be able to:

• Identify several prevalent, low-grade chronic inflammatory diseases that increase an individual’s systemic inflammatory burden and put the individual at risk for other diseases.

Our understanding of the pathogenesis of periodontal disease has evolved significantly over the past several decades. This podcast reviews these paradigm shifts, along with new treatment strategies that are being evaluated in pre-clinical studies. Specifically, specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are discussed.

After completing this podcast, listeners should be able to:

• Explain the major paradigm shifts that have occurred over the past several decades in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of periodontal disease