Improvement of periodontal status by administration of Lactobacillus reuteri

Abstract

Introduction. Dental caries and periodontitis are the most common infectious diseases in humans. Recently, there has been increasing interest in probiotic control against these oral infections and a number of clinical trials have been conducted to elucidate the possible impact on oral health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri-containing probiotic tablets as an adjunct to scaling and root planing.

Materials and methods. Fifty nine chronic periodontitis patients with initial lesions, generally healthy, were recruted and monitored clinically (measures of periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment level, gingival index, plaque index) and microbiologically (red complex + Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) at baseline and after 20 days after therapy. All patients received one-stage oral hygiene session and randomaly devided in two groups: 1st group – at 29 patients was performed scaling and root planing; 2nd group - 30 patients with scaling and root planing + probiotic (1 x 108 CFU/day). The tablets were used once a day, in a period of 20 days.

Results.After periodontal therapy, measures indicated significantly reduced clinical and numerical microbiological parameters in scaling and root planing + probiotic.

Conclusions. Oral administration of L. Reuteri could contribute to the beneficial effects of periodontal conditions.