REBALANCING THE ORAL MICROBIOME: ARE PROBIOTICS THE NEXT STEP IN PERIODONTAL THERAPY?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/revgeov17n6-053Keywords:
Probiotics, Periodontitis, Oral Microbiome, Scaling and Root Planing, Dysbiosis, Inflammation, Adjunctive TherapyAbstract
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of probiotics as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in improving clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory outcomes in patients with periodontitis. Methods: A review of randomized clinical trials published in the last decade was performed, focusing on studies evaluating probiotic administration alongside SRP. Results: Most included studies reported significant improvements in clinical periodontal parameters in groups receiving probiotics compared to placebo. Reductions in PD and BOP were consistently observed, along with favorable changes in the composition of subgingival microbiota, including decreased levels of periodontal pathogens. Additionally, some studies demonstrated reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines. No significant adverse effects were reported, supporting the safety profile of probiotics. Conclusion: Probiotics appear to be a promising adjunctive strategy in periodontal therapy, contributing to microbial balance and improved clinical outcomes. However, variations in probiotic strains, dosages, and treatment protocols highlight the need for standardized clinical guidelines and further high-quality trials.
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