EFFECTIVENESS OF PROBIOTIC THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF PERIMUCOSITIS: A CLINICAL, IMMUNOLOGICAL, AND MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

The widespread application of intraosseous dental implants has significantly enhanced modern dental rehabilitation; however, peri-implant inflammatory complications such as perimucositis and peri-implantitis remain a major clinical challenge. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a probiotic preparation (Enteflavin 4g, Pharmaluce) as an adjunct to basic therapy in the treatment and prevention of perimucositis. Forty-two patients with 3–4 mm peri-implant probing depths were divided into two groups: a control group receiving basic therapy alone and a main group receiving basic therapy plus a 30-day probiotic regimen. Clinical indices (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth), functional parameters of oral fluid, cytokine profiles (IL-1β, IL-4, TNF-α), and microbiological data were assessed before, and at 1 and 6 months after treatment. The main group demonstrated significantly better clinical outcomes, including reduced inflammatory indices, improved salivary gland function, and more pronounced normalization of cytokine status, particularly a marked decrease in IL1β levels. Microbiological analysis showed a nearly twofold reduction in key periodontopathogens (A.a., P.g., P.i., F.n., T.d.) in the probiotic group compared to controls. The findings indicate that adjunctive probiotic therapy enhances the effectiveness of conventional perimucositis treatment by modulating oral microbiota and inflammatory responses, reducing disease severity, and lowering recurrence risk. Incorporating probiotics into peri-implant maintenance protocols may improve long-term implant success.