Adding omega-3 vs. antibiotics to periodontal therapy
Researchers explored whether the addition of immunomodulatory agents to mechanical therapy may be effective in treating patients with periodontitis, according to a news article from Agência FAPESP.
In a study published in the Journal of Periodontology, the researchers randomly assigned more than 100 adult patients with stage 3 or 4 periodontitis to receive subgingival instrumentation in addition to one of four treatment regimens: adjunctive antibiotics metronidazole plus amoxicillin for a period of 14 days, adjunctive omega-3 plus low-dose aspirin for six months, adjunctive metronidazole and amoxicillin for 14 days plus adjunctive omega-3 and low-dose aspirin for six months, or placebo. They defined a study endpoint of four or fewer sites with a probing depth of 5 millimeters or more.
After a follow-up of one year, the researchers found that the study endpoint was achieved among 58.6% of those in the metronidazole and amoxicillin group, 57.7% of those in the omega-3 and low-dose aspirin group, 57.1% of those in the metronidazole and amoxicillin plus omega-3 and low-dose aspirin combination group, and just 23.1% of those in the placebo group.
They hypothesized that because omega-3 plays a role in forming compounds that improve inflammation and tissue repair, the addition of the immunomodulatory agent may help alleviate inflammatory processes seen in the oral cavity among those with severe periodontitis without inhibiting certain pathways. Further, the researchers reported that the benefits of omega-3 plus low-dose aspirin were evident six months after ceasing the use of the immunomodulatory agents, representing the potential long-term effects of the treatment regimen.
The researchers underscored that omega-3 and aspirin may serve as an alternative treatment option to standard therapy, thereby helping to reduce the need for antibiotics and lower the risk of antibiotic resistance. Although all three treatment regimens demonstrated efficacy, they noted that they observed no additional clinical benefit from combining metronidazole and amoxicillin with omega-3 and low-dose aspirin. As a result, both treatment regimens may be effective without combination. Further studies will be needed to identify which patients may benefit most from each treatment regimen.
Read more: Agência FAPESP
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.