The Impact of Omega-3 Supplements on Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 14; no. 9; p. 1838
• Main Authors: Miller, Luísa Martins, Piccinin, Flávia Benetti, van der Velden, Ubele, Gomes, Sabrina Carvalho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 28-04-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Bias; Biofilms; Cardiovascular disease; Chronic illnesses; Clinical trials; Dietary Supplements; Enzymes; Evaluation; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Gingivitis - drug therapy; Gum disease; Heterogeneity; Humans; Inflammation; Lipids; Meta-analysis; Nutrition research; omega 3; Oral hygiene; periodontal diseases; periodontitis; Risk management; Surgical equipment; Systematic Review; periodontal diseases; fatty acids; omega 3; periodontitis
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu14091838

This systematic review examined the additional effect of taking omega-3 supplements on periodontal therapy.
The focused question was "What is the possible effect of omega-3 supplementation concomitant to non-surgical periodontal therapy on clinical periodontal parameters?" Databases Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science (January-July 2021) were searched to identify appropriate studies. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) about non-surgical therapy with omega-3 supplementation, with at least 3 months of supplementation period were included. Cochrane risk of bias tool version 2 and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation were used.
A total of 1556 studies were found, of which eight studies met the inclusion criteria. All eight studies evaluated periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss; plaque and gingival inflammation were evaluated in seven studies. High variety of omega-3 dosage, different study lengths, questionable results from periodontal therapy (including test and control groups), high risk of bias and moderate quality of evidence prevented a satisfactory conclusion regarding the benefits of omega-3 supplementation. The studies' high heterogeneity avoided meta-analysis.
Notwithstanding all limitations, the promising effects of omega-3 supplementation presented in two six-month studies encourage performing RCT with better-defined treatment protocols and greater methodological rigor.