Effect of Periodontal Treatment plus omega-3 in subjects with Periodontitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of systemic omega-3 fatty acid (Ω-3) supplementation as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on the clinical and microbiological parameters of patients with periodontitis.
Material and Methods: Eighteen volunteers received NSPT combined with placebo or Ω-3 (2 g/day) for 90 days (n=10 control, n=8 intervention). Clinical parameters, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), O’Leary index (OI), Bleeding on Probing (BoP) and suppuration, were recorded at baseline, and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-therapy. Microbiological evaluation at baseline, 3, and 6 months assessed the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Fusobacterium nucleatum using conventional polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Fifteen patients completed the study (n=9 control, n=6 intervention). No significant differences were found in demographic, clinical, or microbiological variables between groups at baseline (p>0.05). Both groups showed clinical improvements over time; however, no significant intergroup differences were detected in PPD, CAL, PPD reduction, CAL gain, or the percentage of sites with BoP and biofilm (p>0.05). Similarly, no differences were observed in the mean or changes (Δ) of shallow (PPD 1–3 mm), intermediate (PPD 4–6 mm), or deep sites (PPD ≥7 mm) between groups at any post-NSPT evaluation. No significant intra- or intergroup differences in periodontal pathogens were observed at any post-therapy evaluation.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, adjunctive systemic Ω-3 did not provide additional clinical or microbiological benefits compared to NSPT alone. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are required to clarify its role in periodontal therapy.