Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease
Published on: May 9, 2022
Prevention of preterm delivery with periodontal treatment
Tibor Novák1, Márta Radnai, István Gorzó
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary. novakta@freemail.hu or novobgyn@invitel.hu
Objective:
To demonstrate the role of periodontal treatment (PT) in the prevention of preterm delivery (PD).
Methods:
A comparative prospective study of two groups of pregnant women with threatening PD was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Szeged: group A (n = 39) comprised patients who were merely examined dentally for periodontitis, and group B (n = 44) consisted of patients who received periodontal treatment during pregnancy.
Results:
Periodontitis was identified in 19 cases (48.7%) in group A and in 18 cases (40.9%) in group B. The mean birth weight of the newborns was significantly higher in group B (3,009.1 g) than in group A (2,580.8 g; p = 0.007). The rate of premature birth was significantly lower in the group who received PT (p = 0.012, odds ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.38-8.86).
Conclusions:
The PT of pregnant women can decrease the rate of premature birth and consequently lead to a better neonatal health outcome.
Related Concept Videos
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Preventive Healthcare Services
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management