Clinical and microbiological effects of probiotic lozenges in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a 1-year follow-up study

Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lozenges containing L. reuteri as an adjuvant treatment to initial periodontal therapy for chronic periodontitis patients and to detect the level of L. reuteri colonization in the periodontal pockets of treated patients. Material and Methods A total of 40 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Each patient had at least two teeth with one approximal site each with a probing depth (PD) of 5–7 mm and gingival index (GI) of ≥2 in each quadrant. Group I received scaling and root planing (SRP) plus L. reuteri‐containing lozenges, and Group II received SRP plus placebo. The plaque index (PI), GI, bleeding on probing (BoP), PD and relative attachment level were measured. Microbiological sampling was performed at baseline and on days 21, 90, 180 and 360 and were analysed by culturing. The Bonferroni‐corrected paired sample t‐test, Bonferroni‐corrected Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired sample t‐test were used to evaluate intra‐group differences. The Bonferroni‐corrected Student's t‐test and the Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used to evaluate inter‐group differences. Results After treatment, the measured PI, GI, BoP and PD were significantly (p