Research has identified lactylation-related gene signatures that may help diagnose periodontitis and understand its immune heterogeneity. Other studies have explored similar lactylation-related gene signatures in various diseases, including glioma, dilated cardiomyopathy, preeclampsia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The role of lactylation and immune-related genes in periodontitis is being investigated through different analytical approaches, including machine learning, bioinformatics, and single-cell RNA sequencing.