Periodontal treatment during pregnancy decreases the rate of adverse pregnancy outcome: a controlled clinical trial

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical treatment ofperiodontal disease during the second trimester of gestation on adverse pregnancyoutcomes.

Material and Methods

Pregnant patients during the 1^st and 2^nd trimesters atantenatal care in a Public Health Center were divided into 2 groups: NIG – "nointervention" (n=17) or IG- "intervention" (n=16). IG patients were submitted to anon-surgical periodontal treatment performed by a single periodontist consistingof scaling and root planning (SRP), professional prophylaxis (PROPH) and oralhygiene instruction (OHI). NIG received PROPH and OHI during pregnancy and werereferred for treatment after delivery. Periodontal evaluation was performed by asingle trained examiner, blinded to periodontal treatment, according to probingdepth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI) and sulcularbleeding index (SBI) at baseline and 35 gestational weeks-28 dayspost-partum. Primary adverse pregnancy outcomes were pretermbirth (<37 weeks), low birth weight (<2.5 kg), late abortion (14-24 weeks)or abortion (<14 weeks). The results obtained were statistically evaluatedaccording to OR, unpaired t test and paired t test at 5% significance level.

Results

No significant differences were observed between groups at baseline examination.Periodontal treatment resulted in stabilization of CAL and PI (p>0.05) at IGand worsening of all periodontal parameters at NIG (p<0.0001), except for PI.Significant differences in periodontal conditions of IG and NIG were observed at2nd examination (p<0.001). The rate of adverse pregnancyoutcomes was 47.05% in NIG and 6.25% in IG. Periodontal treatment during pregnancywas associated to a decreased risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes[OR=13.50; CI: 1.47-123.45; p=0.02].

Conclusions

Periodontal treatment during the second trimester of gestation contributes todecrease adverse pregnancy outcomes.