OBJECTIVETo detect Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in buccal epithelial cells and subgingival plaque from periodontally healthy subjects and patients with chronic periodontitis.

METHODS40 subjects were included in the healthy group and 39 subjects were included in the diseased group in this study. Cells and subgingival plaque samples were collected. The extracted DNA was amplified with universal primers and P. gingivalis species-specific primer.

RESULTSP. gingivalis was detected in 37.5% of subgingival plaque samples and 32.5% of buccal mucosa samples in the healthy subjects, but 69.23% of subgingival plaque samples and 46.15% of buccal mucosa samples in the periodontitis group. Highly statistically significant differences were observed between healthy and periodontitis groups in the detections of P. gingivalis of subgingival plaque samples.

CONCLUSIONP. gingivalis may be one of oral flora because it can be detected in the healthy population and not lead to destruction of supporting structures of the teeth.