Periodontal therapy and risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes

Periodontitis has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results from intervention studies are few and controversial. The present study assessed the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment in the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Two hundred forty-six eligible women were randomly divided into two groups: periodontitis intervention (n=122; undergoing non-surgical treatment during gestation) and periodontitis control (n=124; not treated during gestation). Univariate analysis was performed and estimates of relative risk were reported. Data from 225 women were analyzed. No differences for preterm birth (p=0.721), low birth weight (p=0.198), and preterm low birth weight (p=0.732) rates were observed. Relative risk estimates for preterm birth, low birth weight, and preterm low birth weight in the periodontitis intervention group were 0.915 (95% CI 0.561-1.493), 0.735 (95% CI 0.459-1.179), and 0.927 (0.601-1.431), respectively. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment during the second semester of gestation did not reduce the risk for preterm birth, low birth weight, and preterm low birth weight.