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Periodontics Supporting Your Practice

What are the effects of probiotics in periodontal diseases? A systematic review

This summary is based on the article published in the Clinical Oral Investigation journal: Effects of probiotics in periodontal diseases: a systematic review (May 2013)

Nicolás Yanine, Ignacio Araya, Romina Brignardello-Petersen, Alonso Carrasco-Labra, Almudena González, Arelis Preciado, Julio Villanueva, Mariano Sanz, & Conchita Martin

Context

Periodontal diseases are divided into two general stages affecting a majority of adults: gingivitis and periodontitis. (1) Both diseases require the presence of plaque bacteria which are thought to induce pathological changes in the tissues by direct and indirect means (2).

Although conventional treatments are considered effective, efforts to improve periodontal therapies through complementary treatments are at research. Recently, there has been increasing interest in probiotic control against periodontal diseases, and a number of clinical trials have been conducted to elucidate the possible impact on oral health.

Probiotic bacteria can confer benefits for the host through the following mechanisms: (a) providing nutrients and cofactors, (b) competition with pathogens, (c) interaction with virulence factors of pathogens, and (d) stimulating the immune response of the host. (3)

Purpose of the Review

To analyze the available scientific evidence on the effects of probiotics in patients with periodontal diseases (compared with other conventional
interventions and the administration of placebo).

Key Messages

The evidence available does not allow making a clear statement regarding the effectiveness of probiotics, because for the same outcomes, different trials showed different results.

References

  1. Armitage GC (1995) Clinical evaluation of periodontal diseases. Periodontol 7:39–53.
  2. Page RC (1986) Gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol 13(5):345–359.
  3. Saier MH Jr, Mansour NM (2005) Probiotics and prebiotics in human health. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 10(1):22–25.

 

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