Use of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in the treatment of Stage II-III Periodontitis: Longitudinal Study of 36 Patients

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are a consequence of the host’s inflammatory and immune mechanisms against dysbiotic bacterial plaque. Given the role of probiotics in biofilm control and modulation of dysbiosis, this study assessed the efficacy of a specific strain of Lactobacillus Reuteri, DSM 17938, in the treatment of stage II and III periodontitis. 36 patients were randomly allocated into two groups: group A, the treated group; and Group B, the control group. The treated group and the control group both underwent initial periodontal debridement. Patients received medications after undergoing periodontal debridement. Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline and at 21 days. All parameters evaluated, Probing Depth (PD), Full Mouth Bleeding score (FMBS), and Full Mouth Plaque Score (FMPS) showed a reduction over time in both groups. The treated group showed a better reduction (p = 0.05) for PD. As far as the depth of probing is concerned, the decrease observed between the control group and the group treated with probiotics is such as to be considered statistically significant and since the average of the values for the treated group is higher than that of the control group, the use of probiotics has an efficacy of medium statistical importance in the treatment of periodontal disease.