The effect of omega 3 fatty acids on active periodontal therapy – a systematic review and meta-analysis

J Clin Periodontol. 2022 Jun 17. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13680. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: ‘Host Modulatory Therapy’ (HMT) with ω-3 fatty acids aims at reducing inflammation. With HMT as an adjunct a better result op periodontal therapy is expected.

AIMS: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the additional effect of ω-3 fatty acids to nonsurgical periodontal therapy (SRP) on probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL).

METHODS: MEDLINE-PubMed and Cochrane-CENTRAL libraries were searched up to January 2021 for RCT’s in chronic periodontitis patients, treated with SRP/placebo as controls and SRP/ω-3 fatty acids as test group.

RESULTS: The search identified 173 unique abstracts, screening resulted in 10 eligible publications. Descriptive analysis showed a significant effect on PPD and CAL, in favor of the groups with of ω-3 fatty acids in the majority of comparisons. Meta-analysis 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 PPD and improving CAL than SRP alone. If SRP is indicated the use of omega 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.

PMID:35713248 | DOI:10.1111/jcpe.13680