Background & Objectives: There is limited information on the effects of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) on management of periodontal disease. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical and microbiological effects of Lactobacilli containing probiotic sachets as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Methods: Thirty chronic periodontitis patients, who satisfied the inclusion and ex­clusion criteria, were randomly assigned to: (1) scaling and root planing (SRP) (control group, 15 patients) or (2) SRP plus Lactobacilli containing sachets (test group, 15 patients). Full mouth SRP was performed on day 0. On the same day, Lactobacilli containing sachets were given to the patients to be taken for 1 month. Periodontal clinical parameters and the proportion of black pigmented anaerobic rods (BPARs) and Lactobacilli levels were recorded on day 0, at 1 month and at 6 months post therapy.
Results: Both treatment modalities resulted in a statistically significant improvement in clinical parameters (p<0.05) after 1 and 6 months. No intergroup statistically significant differences were observed (p>0.05). Microbiological analysis showed a statistically significant reduction of BPARs proportion for both groups, at 1 and 6 months, when compared with baseline values (p<0.01). A statistically significant intergroup difference in proportion of BPARs were found at 1 month in favor of the probiotic group (p<0.05), however, the intergroup difference was not significant at 6 months evaluation period. A statistically significant negative correlation between clinical parameters (FMBI: p =0.032, PPD: p =0.040) and Lactobacilli count was observed. This inverse correlation was also seen with subgingival colonization of BPARs (p = 0.018).
Conclusion: Both treatment modalities provided comparable clinical results, however microbiological changes were more evident in the probiotic group. Oral probiotics can repopulate the beneficial microflora and reduce the pathogenic bacteria, however, repeated application is required.