Probiotics During the Therapeutic Management of Periodontitis

Scaling and root planing is the gold standard for the treatment of periodontitis, but administration of systemic antibiotics may be needed especially for sites with deep probing depths, or in the presence of comorbidities. However, treated sites are subject to recolonization with a microbiota similar to that present before therapy, and supportive periodontal therapy is employed after the treatment of active disease. The use of beneficial organisms, known as probiotics, seems an attractive proposal to promote a healthy associated subgingival microbiome and to control inflammation for the management of periodontitis. The mechanisms underlying the benefits promoted by probiotics involve interference on periodontopathogens, modulation of the exacerbated immune host response and the ability to restore the integrity of the epithelial barrier on mucosa surfaces. This review examines the scientific data related to the effects of probiotics on the treatment of periodontal diseases and addresses the future approaches necessary for their implementation.