Oral Microbial Shift Following 1-Month Supplementation of Probiotic Chewable Tablets Containing Lactobacillus reuteri UBLRu-87 as an Adjunct to Phase 1 Periodontal Therapy in Chronic Periodontitis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

CONTEXT: Although Lactobacilli as a probiotic was established as a treatment for a wide range of systemic infections, its role in periodontitis and oral microbiota is still under investigation. AIMS: The present randomized clinical trial was aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic chewable tablets containing Lactobacillus reuteri UBLRu-87 along with initial periodontal therapy on clinical parameters and oral microbiota of chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The randomized controlled clinical trial. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty CP patients were selected who received scaling and root planing (SRP) and were randomly allocated into two treatment groups; Groups A and B. Group A received L. reuteri-containing chewable probiotic tablets. The clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level), and microbiological parameters (Porphyromonas gingivalis and L. reuteri levels using real-time polymerase chain reaction) were evaluated at baseline, following treatment at 1 month and 3 months in both groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Paired t-test and unpaired t-test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: On intergroup analysis, statistically significant improvement in clinical as well as microbiological parameters was observed in Group A (SRP + PROBIOTIC) compared to Group B (SRP ALONE) at all evaluation time points. CONCLUSION: Probiotic chewable tablets containing L. reuteri may be a useful adjunct along with initial periodontal therapy to slow recolonization of periopathogens along with improvement in clinical outcomes of CP. Further long-term trials are necessary to establish the optimal dosage of probiotics.