Omega-3 and aspirin match antibiotics for severe gum disease in yearlong trial

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Omega-3 and aspirin match antibiotics for severe gum disease in yearlong trial

A combination of omega-3 and low-dose aspirin performed about as well as antibiotics in a yearlong study of 109 people with severe periodontitis. The findings, published in the Journal of Periodontology, raise the possibility of an alternative treatment for some patients. The research involved institutions in Brazil and Harvard University.

Key Facts

The study included 109 people with advanced periodontitis who were followed for one year.
After one year, 58% of patients treated with antibiotics reached the clinical target of no more than four deep periodontal pockets.
The omega-3 and aspirin group achieved a nearly identical result, with 57% reaching the same target.
The study was published in the Journal of Periodontology and supported by FAPESP projects 20/05874-2 and 20/05875-9.

Study Design

Researchers from Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, Guarulhos University, the University of Taubaté, the Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry at USP, and Harvard University conducted the clinical study. The 109 participants with advanced periodontitis were randomly divided into four groups. All participants received subgingival instrumentation, a standard treatment that removes bacterial deposits from below the gums. The control group received placebo versions of the antibiotics, omega-3, and aspirin. A second group received the antibiotics metronidazole and amoxicillin three times per day for 14 days.

Treatment Outcomes

A third group received three grams of omega-3 daily along with a daily dose of aspirin for six months. A fourth group received both approaches, taking antibiotics for two weeks while also following the omega-3 and aspirin regimen for six months. Researchers assessed participants again after three, six, and twelve months. The clinical target was defined as having no more than four remaining deep periodontal pockets. The omega-3 and aspirin group achieved a nearly identical result to the antibiotic group, with 57% reaching the target.

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Omega-3 and aspirin match antibiotics for severe gum disease in yearlong trial

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Omega-3 and aspirin match antibiotics for severe gum disease in yearlong trial

Key Facts

Study Design

Treatment Outcomes

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