The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on active periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#chronic-periodontitis #dental-scaling #fatty-acids-omega-3 #humans #root-planing

The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on active periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Van et al., 2022 | J Clin Periodontol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Van Ravensteijn Myrlon M, Timmerman Mark F, ... Slot Dagmar Else. The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on active periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Periodontol. 2022-Oct;49(10):1024-1037. doi:10.1111/jcpe.13680

Abstract

AIM: "Host modulatory therapy" (HMT) with ω-3 fatty acids aims at reducing inflammation. With HMT as an adjunct, a better result of periodontal therapy is expected. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis (MA) was to examine the additional effect of ω-3 fatty acids to non-surgical periodontal therapy (SRP) on the probing pocket depth (PPD) and the clinical attachment level (CAL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE-PubMed and Cochrane-CENTRAL libraries were searched up to January 2021 for randomized controlled trials in patients with chronic periodontitis, treated with SRP/placebo as controls and SRP/ω-3 fatty acids as the test group. RESULTS: The search identified 173 unique abstracts, and screening resulted in 10 eligible publications. Descriptive analysis showed a significant effect on the PPD and CAL in favour of the groups with ω-3 fatty acids in the majority of comparisons. MA revealed that adjunctive use of ω-3 fatty acids to SRP resulted in 0.39 mm more PPD reduction (95% CI: -0.58; -0.21) and 0.41 mm more CAL gain (95% CI: -0.63; -0.19) than SRP alone. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with periodontitis, dietary supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids as an adjunct to SRP is more effective in reducing the PPD and improving the CAL than SRP alone. If SRP is indicated, the use of ω-3 fatty acids can be considered for a moderate extra added effect on PPD reduction and CAL gain. The strength of this recommendation is moderate.

Key Findings

The search identified 173 unique abstracts, and screening resulted in 10 eligible publications. Descriptive analysis showed a significant effect on the PPD and CAL in favour of the groups with ω-3 fatty acids in the majority of comparisons. MA revealed that adjunctive use of ω-3 fatty acids to SRP resulted in 0.39 mm more PPD reduction (95% CI: -0.58; -0.21) and 0.41 mm more CAL gain (95% CI: -0.63; -0.19) than SRP alone.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population chronic periodontitis
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition inflammation

MeSH Terms

  • Chronic Periodontitis
  • Dental Scaling
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Humans
  • Root Planing

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: omega-3

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09