Probiotic treatment and gum disease outcomes Original paper
In this 3-month randomized controlled trial in 30 participants with chronic gum disease, locally administered Lactobacillus reuteri, combined with scaling and root planing treatments, reduced a periodontal pathogen.
This Study Summary was published on March 27, 2025.
The study
The study compared the effects of a probiotic and placebo (the control) in participants who were undergoing scaling and root planing. The probiotic was incorporated into biodegradable material which was inserted into pockets between the gum and the tooth immediately after scaling and root planing and dissolved within 4 days for sustained release of Lactobacillus reuteri. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at baseline and after 3 months.
At 3 months, the bleeding index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels were no different between the prebiotic and control groups.
However, a 63% reduction in oral Porphyromonas gingivalis load was observed in the probiotic group, compared to a 26% reduction in the control group. P. gingivalis is a key pathogen associated with gum disease.
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The results
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This Study Summary was published on March 27, 2025.