DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2023.v10i08.003

Pages: 186-195

Aim: To evaluate and compare salivary levels of nitric oxide in chronic gingivitis patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Objective: To clinically evaluate the efficacy of probiotics on salivary levels of nitric oxide in chronic gingivitis patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Unstimulated whole salivary samples were collected from a total of 20 subjects with chronic gingivitis undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I patients were treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy i.e. Scaling and root planning (SRP) alone and Group II patients were treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy i.e. Scaling and root planning (SRP) and a Lactobacillus reuteri containing probiotic supplement. The clinical parameters of gingivitis were assessed using Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) and Plaque Index (PI). The biochemical analysis of salivary nitric oxide levels of subjects was conducted at baseline and 21 days. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney Test. Results: Group II patients showed a significant difference (p<0.05) as compared to Group I patients in terms of Salivary Nitric Oxide levels, Modified Gingival Index (MGI), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) and Plaque Index (PI). The use of probiotics in combination with SRP in the treatment of chronic gingivitis during active orthodontic treatment phase showed better results when compared to SRP alone. Conclusion: Salivary Nitric Oxide proves to be a significant marker of gingival inflammation and the adjunctive use probiotics along with NSPT can be recommended to reduce the severity of gingival inflammation and plaque formation during ongoing orthodontic treatment phase.