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Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease
Published on: May 9, 2022
Prevention of Initial Periodontitis Is an Investment in the Future
Anna Maria Heikkinen1,2, Teija Raivisto3, Ismo Tapani Räisänen3
1Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, University of Tampere, 33100 Tampere, Finland.
Background:
Periodontal tissue damage is mainly caused by the active form of collagenolytic matrix metalloproteinase-8, aMMP-8, the concentration of which in the mouth rinse can be measured with a mouth rinse chairside-test. The mouth rinse chair side test can be used to identify adolescents with a risk of periodontitis.
Methods:
The data were collected at the Kotka Health Centre (2004-2005, N = 501 and 2014-2015, N = 47) and at the Hämeenlinna Health Centre (2017-2018, N = 125) consisting of adolescents aged 14-17. They underwent a complete periodontal examination, and some were subjected to the aMMP-8-test.
Results:
We identified bacterial plaques in combination with increased bleeding on probing (BOP), elevated aMMP-8 concentration, smoking and male sex as the main risk factors for initial periodontitis. Approximately 10% of adolescents had subclinical periodontitis, they were not periodontally healthy, but also not sick. They may not develop periodontitis, but they are at the risk. The aMMP-8 test positivity had a stronger association with initial periodontitis than BOP.
Conclusions:
In addition to identifying risk factors, these adolescents need individual prevention and, if necessary, early treatment. For the periodontal health biomarker aMMP-8, test negativity ([-], ≤20 ng/mL) should be sought.
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