Clinical effects of probiotic or azithromycin as an adjunct to scaling and root planning in the treatment of stage III periodontitis: a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract Background The aim of this triple-blind placebo-controlled parallel-arm randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effects Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 or azithromycin as an adjunct scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with stage III periodontitis. Methods Forty-seven systemically healthy participants periodontitis were recruited. Following SRP, randomly assigned one three treatment modalities; (1) placebo (n = 15), (2) probiotics 16) (3) antibiotics-azithromycin 16). monitored at baseline, 3, 6, 9 12 months after therapy. Probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), attachment loss (CAL) plaque accumulation (PI) evaluated. Results All 47 completed study. At months, all groups showed significant improvements PPD PI ( p < 0.012) irrespective modality without differences between groups. Probiotics no added benefit terms CAL. While 0.002) antibiotic-azithromycin group a reduction BOP, only revealed CAL follow-up 0.003). number sites teeth ? 5, 6 7 mm significantly reduced 0.025) regime Conclusion use SRP failed provide additional benefits these two regimes remain unclear. Trial registration NCT02839408, 10/28/2017, Clinicaltrial.gov.