Trial backs oral probiotic to fight off dental implant problems
The research, published in the Journal of Periodontal Research, evaluated the effects of the oral probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis on common complications associated with dental implants – known as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.
Peri-implant mucositis is a common inflammatory condition affecting the gums around dental implants. If not treated, it may lead to a worsened condition known as peri-implantitis, which may need surgery or replacement of the dental implant.
Led by Antonio J. Flichy-Fernández from Valencia University Medical and Dental School, the research team behind the double-blind randomised controlled trial found that 30 days of supplementation with L. reuteri Prodentis significantly reduced inflammation related to implants.
“Our study shows that treatment with Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis in patients with implants and mucositis both improved clinical parameters as well as reduced cytokine levels compared to placebo,” said Flichy-Fernández. “Supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis may therefore be a good alternative for both treatment of peri-implant disease and its prevention.”
Peter Rothschild, president of probiotic firm BioGaia, which supplied the L. reuteri Prodentis used in the RCT, said that the results show that the supplement is aneffective treatment and prevention of dental implant diseases “and will support the growth of BioGaia’s business in dental clinics around the world.”
Clinical trial
Flichy-Fernández and his colleagues evaluated the effects of the probiotic against a placebo in 34 participants taking part in the double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective cross-over study.
The patients were divided into two groups, the first in which participants had no peri-implant disease, and the second in which peri-implant mucositis had affected one or more implants. Patients with peri-implantitis were excluded.
The dosage was one tablet every 24 hours over 30 days – with all participants in both groups initially receiving the oral probiotic, followed by placebo.
“Patients started with probiotic treatment during 30 days, followed by a 6 month washout period and the administration of placebo for the same period,” said the authors.
After treatment with the probiotic, both the patients with mucositis and the patients without peri-implant disease showed improvements in the clinical parameters, with reductions in cytokine levels, said the team.
In contrast, no such changes were observed with placebo.
“After treatment with the probiotic L. reuteri in patients with implants presenting mucositis, the clinical parameters improved, and the cytokine levels decreased - in contraposition to the observations in the placebo group,” concluded the authors.
“Probiotic administration may be regarded as a good alternative for both the treatment of peri-implant mucositis and its prevention, as it also improved clinical parameters in the healthy individuals,” said the team, who added that further studies involving a larger patient series are now needed.
Source: Journal of Periodontal Research
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1111/jre.12264
“The effect of orally administered probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri-containing tablets in peri-implant mucositis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial”
Authors: A. J. Flichy-Fernánde, et al
