AbsrtractIf periodontal disease is due to a limited number of bacterial species, then continuous maximal plaque suppression is not the only possibility for prevention and therapy. Specific elimination or reduction of pathogenic bacteria from plaque becomes a valid alternative. Recent studies indicate that the elimination of certain putative pathogens is particularly difficult. New diagnostic methods should allow the choice of better suited procedures, make chosen procedures more effective (through better timing, dosage, selection of devices or drugs, increase of specificity, etc.) or lead to the elimination of unnecessary work (e.g., the treatment of non‐susceptible sites or patients). The benefit of newly proposed tests depends on the possible impact of the obtained information on clinical decisions and on the consequences these decisions have for treatment. Thus, diagnostic methods and therapeutical options have to be evaluated togethe
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