The effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on active periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

AIM: “Host modulatory therapy” (HMT) with ω‐3 fatty acids aims at reducing inflammation. With HMT as an adjunct, a better result of periodontal therapy is expected. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis (MA) was to examine the additional effect of ω‐3 fatty acids to non‐surgical periodontal therapy (SRP) on the probing pocket depth (PPD) and the clinical attachment level (CAL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE‐PubMed and Cochrane‐CENTRAL libraries were searched up to January 2021 for randomized controlled trials in patients with chronic periodontitis, treated with SRP/placebo as controls and SRP/ω‐3 fatty acids as the test group. RESULTS: The search identified 173 unique abstracts, and screening resulted in 10 eligible publications. Descriptive analysis showed a significant effect on the PPD and CAL in favour of the groups with ω‐3 fatty acids in the majority of comparisons. MA revealed that adjunctive use of ω‐3 fatty acids to SRP resulted in 0.39 mm more PPD reduction (95% CI: −0.58; −0.21) and 0.41 mm more CAL gain (95% CI: −0.63; −0.19) than SRP alone. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with periodontitis, dietary supplementation with ω‐3 fatty acids as an adjunct to SRP is more effective in reducing the PPD and improving the CAL than SRP alone. If SRP is indicated, the use of ω‐3 fatty acids can be considered for a moderate extra added effect on PPD reduction and CAL gain. The strength of this recommendation is moderate.