Probiotic supplements and postoperative complications after tooth extractions and third molar surgery: a systematic review

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

INTRODUCTION: Probiotics have gained considerable attention as intervention for various conditions in dentistry. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current literature on the efficacy of probiotic supplements for alleviating symptoms after tooth extractions and third molar surgery. EVIDENCEACQUISITION: We searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to October 15, 2021 using pertinent keywords to retrieve relevant literature. Based on abstracts, the authors reviewed the full text papers, extracted key outcome data, and assessed the risk of bias. EVIDENCESYNTHESIS: Four articles based on three RCT's were included of which three allowed compilation. There were no beneficial effects on the occurrence of postoperative infections or alveolitis, but we disclosed a significant trend towards less self-reported pain one week after the tooth extractions (RD -0.22; 95% CI-0.33; -0.11; P<0.05). Findings concerning swelling, discomfort and use of painkillers were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotic supplements may offer clinical benefits within oral surgery, such as alleviating pain after tooth extractions. However, the certainty of these findings was very low due to risk of bias, heterogeneity, and inconsistencies across the studies. Further and larger investigations are required to strengthen the level of evidence.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMinerva Dental and Oral Science
Volume71
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)242-247
Number of pages6
ISSN2724-6329
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Minerva Dental and Oral Science.

    Research areas

  • Pain, postoperative, Probiotics, Surgery, oral, Surgical wound infection, Tooth extraction

ID: 324137341