Efficacy of omega 3 fatty acid as an adjunct in the management of chronic periodontitis: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: : Periodontitis is conventionally treated with both surgical and nonsurgical methods. Various adjuncts have been used previously with compromised efficacy. Recently omega-3(ώ-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were shown to have therapeutic anti-inflammatory and protective actions in inflammatory diseases including periodontitis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of ώ-3 fatty acids as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontitis. METHODS: 110 Patients were selected for the study out of which 20 were excluded (12 not meeting the inclusion criteria and 8 refused to participate). 90 patients (48 in test and 42 in the control group) after randomisation through a coin toss method were enrolled in a single-blind randomised controlled trial conducted in the Periodontics department of a dental college. Full mouth subgingival scaling and root planing and ώ-3 fatty acid 500 mg (EPA/DHA 180/120 mg), BD daily for 1 month was given to the test group and subgingival scaling and root planing only was given to the control group. Clinical parameters like probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index and gingival index were recorded at baseline, 1 and 3 months and were compared. RESULTS: Statistical analyses demonstrated a significant reduction in probing pocket depth (t = 65.56, P = 0.000) and (t = 51.69, P = 0.000) at 1 and 3 months, respectively, in test group compared to baseline and control group. There was a significant gain in clinical attachment level (t = 63.29, P = 0.000) and (t = 31.03, P = 0.000) at 1 and 3 months, respectively, in test group compared to baseline and control group. The gingival index shows an appreciable reduction in both groups, and in test group, it is statistically significant at 3 months (t = 2.15, P = 0.03). There was no statistical significant reduction in plaque index at 3 months (t = 0, P = 0.997). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that adjunctive use of ώ-3 fatty acids proved to be beneficial over scaling and root planing alone in the treatment of chronic moderate periodontitis. The beneficial effects were in terms of significant improvements in clinical parameters, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level and gingival index. Dietary modulation is now emerging as an adjunct to periodontal therapy. Hence, omega-3 fatty acid may be used routinely in the management of chronic periodontitis.