Probiotics Enhance Bone Density and Reduce Inflammation Postalveolar Surgery

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of probiotic-based interventions in modulating the inflammatory response of periapical tissues and maintaining alveolar bone homeostasis following oral alveolar surgery.

Method

In this open-label, nonblinded trial, 80 patients undergoing alveolar surgery were randomised into an experimental group (n = 40) receiving postoperative Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 probiotics (10¹⁰ CFU/d) and a control group (n = 40) receiving standard care. Alveolar bone density was measured via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) at 1, 3, and 5 months postsurgery. Oral microbial diversity (16S rRNA sequencing) and inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) were analysed at 3 months.

Result

The experimental group demonstrated a 3.8% higher bone density than controls at all follow-ups (P < .05), alongside a 15.2% increase in microbial diversity (Shannon index, P < .05). Proinflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced (IL-1β: −18.5%; TNF-α: −22.1%; IL-6: −14.7%, P < .05). While the bone density improvement was modest, its statistical significance suggests potential clinical relevance for osseointegration. Probiotic supplementation attenuated inflammation and enhanced alveolar bone stability postsurgery. However, the nonblinded design limits generalizability.

Conclusion

Probiotic-based interventions with Lactobacillus reuteri effectively modulated the inflammatory response and enhanced alveolar bone homeostasis postalveolar surgery in this cohort. While promising, future double-blind trials with larger cohorts are needed to confirm these findings and explore broader translational applications in bone regeneration strategies.