The oral leukocyte migration rate index as a method of assessing periodontal disease in an individual

Abstract

Functional polymorphonuclear leukocytes can be readily collected in samples of salvia. These leukocytes migrate mainly through the oral mucosa, and in particular the gingival mucosa. They are siad to migrate into the mouth at a rate characteristic of the extens of inflammation in that mouth ‐ the Oral Leukocyte migratory Rate (OMR). The Oral Leukocyte Migratory Rate Index (OMRI) has been suggested as a reproducible index of the periodontal health and should allow an objective assessment of periodontal health. The results of this investigation in which thirteen patients with varying degrees of periodontal disease were studied demonstrated consederable difficulties in obtaining reproduciblem results with all subjects and indicated that the OMRI values obtained were not directly related to improvement in periodontal health. The usefulness of OMRI as a dental health index of an individual was questioned.