Probiotics Enhance Bone Density and Reduce Inflammation Postalveolar Surgery

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Alveolar bone homeostasis and inflammation are critical post-oral surgery.
• Probiotic interventions are being explored for their therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics in modulating periapical tissue inflammation.
• To assess the impact of probiotics on maintaining alveolar bone homeostasis after oral surgery.

Main Methods:

• An open-label trial involving 80 patients undergoing alveolar surgery.
• Randomization into a probiotic group (Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938) and a standard care control group.
• Assessment of bone density (CBCT), oral microbial diversity (16S rRNA), and inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) at specified intervals.

Main Results:

• The probiotic group showed significantly higher bone density (3.8%) and increased microbial diversity (15.2%).
• Significant reductions in key inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) were observed in the probiotic group.
• Probiotic supplementation attenuated inflammation and enhanced alveolar bone stability, suggesting potential clinical relevance for osseointegration.

Conclusions:

• Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics effectively modulated inflammation and improved alveolar bone homeostasis post-surgery.
• The findings suggest potential benefits of probiotics in bone regeneration strategies.
• Future double-blind trials with larger cohorts are recommended to validate these results.