 For all periodontitis patients the activated matrix metalloproteinase-8 test was performed at least 24 hours after clinical examination. For periodontally healthy controls the test was done within a week after clinical examination. First of all patients rinsed with tap water for 30 seconds. Then they spat out the water and waited for 1 min. Now patients rinsed with 5ml of purified water for 30 seconds and spat this sample back into the test cup. Approximately 2 ml of the sampled saliva was now taken up with a syringe. After a filter was put onto the syringe 3 drops of the saliva were pressed through the filter into the ELISA kit. After 5 to 10 min the result was read from the test kit. If both the control and test stripes were visible the respective test was positive i.e. 25 ng activated matrix metalloproteinase-8 per ml. All test results were photographed with 2fold magnification. 