Objective: To comprehensively investigate the efficacy of adjunctive probiotics compared to placebo, using conventional and novel treatment outcomes.
Materials and methods: Three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) were searched. Outcomes included percent change in the total number of deep sites before and after therapy, change in mean probing pocket depth (mm), percentage patients requiring additional therapy, risk for disease progression, and microbiological and immunological results. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate treatment effects wherever appropriate.
Results: Ten studies were selected from 818 records. Meta-analysis showed that adjunctive probiotics had no additional benefit for percentage change of the total number of deeper sites (≥5 mm, ≥6 mm, ≥7 mm) before and after therapy. No significant difference was observed for mean probing pocket depth reduction at 3 and 6 months. Statistically significant beneficial odds ratios for need for additional therapy (OR = 0.19, 95% CI [0.07-0.56]) and risk of disease progression (OR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.14-0.73]) were observed with probiotic administration. Immunological rather than microbiological outcomes correlated more consistently with clinical findings. No adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: Adjunctive probiotics are safe in systemically healthy individuals and could offer additional patient-level benefits compared to placebo, hence its use can sometimes be justified.
Keywords: Bifidobacterium; Lactobacillus; host-modulation; periodontal debridement; periodontitis.