Conclusion
The local action of cytokines, which is heavily dependent on recruitment, interaction and activation of immune competent cells can explain the site specific nature of cytokine expression. The findings of elevated salivary IL-12 levels post-therapy in patients with severe chronic periodontitis compared to healthy controls suggest a close association between salivary IL-12 and periodontal status. Thus, IL-12 might be potentially useful in distinguishing health from disease and monitoring periodontal disease activity. Future longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate salivary IL-12 as a marker for periodontal disease.