The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lozenges-containing Lactobacillus reuteri as an adjuvant treatment of peri-implant mucositis and to detect the level of L. reuteri colonization in the peri-implant tissues of treated patients. A total of 10 patients were selected. Subjects with at least one implant affected by peri-implant mucositis, with gingival index (GI) of ⩾2 in each quadrant, evaluated at the buccal aspect of all teeth. Patients included in the study were partially edentulous and had implants with mucositis or peri-implantitis. Implants with radiographic bone loss of ⩾5 mm and/or ⩾50% of the implant length were excluded, and only one implant per patient was included. Each patient received L. reuteri–containing lozenges. Microbiological sampling was performed at baseline and on day 28 and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results indicate that the use of the probiotic did not influence the peri-implant microbiota in a statistically significant way, although there was a reduction in the number of periodontal and peri-implant species. The lack of statistically significant microbiological changes could be explained either by the small sample population or by the short evaluation period. Therefore, the poor colonization of L. reuteri in the peri-implant pockets can be explained by the different anatomical and histological characteristics of the interface of the dental–gingival unit with respect to the periodontal sulcus. The administration of a daily lozenge of L. reuteri for 4 weeks had a limited effect on the microbiological analysis. Probiotics provide an alternative therapeutic approach to consider in the prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases, but further long-term prospective studies with standardized variables are needed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the abatement power of oral microbial loading of a new gel formulation based on the complex silver-2-mercaptobenzoate, chlorhexidine digluconate and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (named ADC) through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The study sample consists of a group of 20 patients with chronic periodontal disease. Patients were over 25 years of age and did not undergo surgical or non-surgical periodontal treatment in the previous 6 months. The study sample was allotted into two groups of 10 patients each, homogeneous by age and sex. The test group received a bottle containing ADC gel, while the control group received an identical one containing placebo, similar to ADC in consistence, colour, taste and odour. Sub-gingival samples of four sites, one in each quadrant, of greatest probing depth in each patient were used. Microbiological analyses were performed at baseline and at day 15. Paired t test was performed to detect statistical significant reduction in total bacterial loading and oral pathogens in the study groups. The analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in the total bacterial loading evaluated pre- and post-treatment (P = 0.029) in the study groups. In the control group, the decrease in total bacterial loading was not significant (P = 0.279). Clinically, ADC gel does not have any side effects and discomfort such as pain, burning, tingling sensation or numbness and produces no adverse reactions in time. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new chemical formulation with antibacterial properties to use for daily oral hygiene with a preliminary study. Our results showed a statistically significant reduction in total bacterial loading after treatment, but the limitations of our study do not allow us to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of the ADC gel.

The indication for using chemical devices as an adjunct of domestic oral hygiene has gained increased attention in last decades. The efficacy of chemical devices for oral biofilm control is proven by evidence from clinical studies. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a new oral gel named ADC to reduce oral bacterial loading investigated by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Materials and methods A total of 20 patients with a diagnosis of chronic periodontitis in the age group >25 years, were selected. None of these patients had received any surgical or non-surgical periodontal therapy and demonstrated radiographic evidence of moderate bone loss. The study sample was divided into two groups of 10 patients each, homogeneous by age and sex. The study group was given a little bottle containing ADC gel, while the control group was given an identical pack-containing placebo, a gel similar to ADC for consistence, colour, taste and odour. Four sites in separate quadrants were selected in each patient for testing the efficacy of the new medical device. Microbial analysis (MA) was performed at baseline and at day 15. Paired T-Test was used to detect statistical significant reduction of total bacterial loading and specific bacteria. Results Specimens of subgingival plaque from patients were investigated for the presence of six bacterial species and for total bacterial loading by quantitative PCR. There was a statistically significant reduction total bacterial loading detected pre and post treatment (p= 0.029) in the study group. In the control group the reduction of total bacterial loading was not significant (p= 0,279). The ADC gel did not show any side effects and was not observed to cause discomfort or to produce adverse reactions in time. No patient reported pain, burning, tingling sensation or numbness. Conclusion The aim of our study was to test the efficacy of a new chemical formulation with antibacterial properties to use for domestic oral hygiene with a preliminary study. Although the reported data show a statistically significant drop in total bacterial loading after treatment our limited results do not allow us to draw final conclusions about the clinical efficiency of the ADC gel. There is currently a trend in the increased use of antimicrobial agents. The effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies depends on host defence mechanisms and virulence factors. Further research, with relatively larger sample size and longer follow-up period, will be performed to better validate the efficacy of ADC gel as an effective local drug delivery agent in daily oral hygiene.