Saliva is more than just moisture in the mouth, it is a highly dynamic fluid that reflects both oral and systemic health. It contains a diverse community of microbes that interact continuously with the immune system, mucosal surfaces, and the bloodstream. Because the oral cavity is a primary entry point to the body, saliva offers a unique window into microbial activity at the interface between the environment and internal systems.

Microscopic analysis of saliva allows us to observe live microbial forms in real time - something not possible with standard blood work or DNA-based tests alone. By examining saliva, we can capture critical information about microbial abundance, morphology, and ecological patterns that may have downstream relevance for both oral and whole-body health.

No. MacTech Imaging does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe. Our role is observational: we provide static and video imaging of ex vivo saliva samples. These visual reports are designed to be used alongside a healthcare provider, who can interpret them in the context of each patient’s broader clinical picture.

Reports are typically completed within 2–3 weeks after the sample is received.

Yes. Sample reports are available upon request.

DNA-based testing, including PCR, is powerful but inherently limited: it only detects what it is programmed to search for. Many assays exclude entire genera or species groups. For example, standard oral PCR panels often fail to capture the full spectrum of Treponema species, despite their recognized roles in periodontal and systemic disease.

Microscopy overcomes this blind spot by allowing direct visualization of microbial morphologies (such as spirochetes, gliding bacteria, and yeast forms) that may be excluded from commercial panels. This makes it possible to document microbial populations that DNA methods may miss entirely.

Genus-level awareness provides critical context when specific pathogenic species are not included on standard assays. For instance:

• Treponema denticola is commonly associated with periodontal disease, but other oral treponemes (e.g., Treponema maltophilum, Treponema lecithinolyticum, Treponema socranskii) are equally important and often absent from molecular panels.

• Without basic genus-level or approximate morphological identification, entire microbial families can go unrecognized, leaving doctors without essential clues when correlating oral health with systemic conditions.

Microscopy helps fill this gap, allowing clinicians to track general microbial shifts over time and integrate that information with other diagnostic approaches.

MacTech Imaging is unique. Every sample is prepared, examined, and documented by skilled analysts using advanced phase-contrast microscopy. There is no automation or algorithmic substitution, only direct observation of live microbial ecologies.

This process is labor-intensive and highly specialized, but it provides insights not available elsewhere. To our knowledge, no other service offers this level of static and video documentation of ex vivo saliva samples for use in clinical collaboration.