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The effects of periodontal treatment on pregnancy outcomes
Author(s) -
Michalowicz Bryan S.,
Gustafsson Anders,
ThumbigereMath Vivek,
Buhlin Kåre
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/jcpe.12081
Subject(s) - medicine , scaling and root planing , randomized controlled trial , pregnancy , observational study , periodontitis , low birth weight , obstetrics , cochrane library , premature birth , gestational age , chronic periodontitis , dentistry , biology , genetics
Abstract Background Preterm infants are at greater risk than term infants for physical and developmental disorders. Morbidity and mortality increases as gestational age at delivery decreases. Observational studies indicate an association between poor periodontal health and risk for preterm birth or low birthweight, making periodontitis a potentially modifiable risk factor for prematurity. Aim To identify randomized controlled trials ( RCT s) published between January 2011 and July 2012 and discuss all published RCT s testing whether periodontal therapy reduces rates of preterm birth and low birthweight. Methods Search of databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Results The single RCT identified showed no significant effect of periodontal treatment on birth outcomes. Discussion All published trials included non‐surgical periodontal therapy; only two included systemic antimicrobials as part of test therapy. The trials varied substantially in terms of sample size, obstetric histories of subjects, study preterm birth rates and the periodontal treatment response. The largest trials – also judged to be high‐quality and at low risk of bias – have yielded consistent results, and indicate that treatment does not alter rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion Non‐surgical periodontal therapy, scaling and root planing, does not improve birth outcomes in pregnant women with periodontitis.