The BANA Test is a highly sensitive, inexpensive and easy-to-use chairside test for periodontal risk. In just 5 minutes, the BANA Test can detect the three most aggressive bacteria associated with periodontal disease simply by applying tongue swabbings or subgingival plaque samples to a small test strip.
For periodontal risk assessment, subgingival plaque is obtained with a curette, dental explorer, or soft pick. The samples are placed on the BANA test strip, which is then inserted into a slot on the BANA incubator. The incubator automatically heats the sample to 55°C for 5 minutes. If P. gingivalis, B. forsythus or T. denticola are present, the test area turns blue. Stronger colour means a higher concentration of organisms.
To detect these bacteria on the tongue surface, a small sample of tongue coating is placed on the BANA test strip and then inserted into the incubator. As for the tooth samples, if these bacteria are present, the test area shows a blue colour.