BMC Oral Health
volume 20, Article number:
126 (
2020)Abstract
Background
Treatment
with fixed orthodontic appliances has been associated with significant
biofilm accumulation, thus putting patients at a higher risk of oral
health deterioration. The use of probiotics has been proposed to be
useful in the prevention or treatment of oral pathologies such as caries
and diseases of periodontal tissues. Our aim was to investigate the
effects of probiotic use on inflammation of the gingival tissues and the
decalcification of the enamel in patients being treated with fixed
orthodontic appliances.
Methods
We
searched without restrictions 8 databases and performed hand searching
until September 2019. We searched for randomized controlled trials
(RCTs) evaluating whether individuals with fixed orthodontic appliances
benefit from probiotic treatment in terms of the inflammation of the
gingivae and decalcification of the enamel. Following the selection of
studies and the extraction of pertinent data, we appraised the risk of
bias and the confidence in the observed effects based on established
methodologies.
Results
From
the final qualifying studies, three did not show any statistically
significant effect on gingival inflammation after probiotic
administration of up to 1 month. Similarly, non-significant differences
were noted in another study regarding white spot lesions development
(mean administration for 17 months). No adverse effects were reported
and the level of evidence was considered moderate.
Conclusions
Supplementation
of orthodontic patients with probiotics did not affect the development
of inflammation in the gingivae and decalcification in the enamel.
Additional RCTs, with longer intervention and follow-up periods, and
involving different combinations of probiotic strains are required.
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