TNF and periodontal disorder: TNF-α is known to induce alveolar bone resorption and the loss of connective tissue attachment.11,13 In addition to these direct effects on the bone and connective tissue, TNF-α has been reported to increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6.11,14,15,16 TNF-α has also been shown to suppress the progression of periodontal disease by increasing the migration of phagocytic cells to infected and inflamed sites.10 Thus, TNF-α can either facilitate or inhibit the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.10