Omega-3 plus low-dose aspirin produces antibiotic-like results against severe periodontitis

A recent study conducted by researchers from Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, Guarulhos University, the University of Taubaté, FORP-USP, and Harvard University has found that a combination of omega-3 and low-dose aspirin may be as effective as antibiotics in treating severe periodontitis. This conclusion was reached after examining 109 patients with advanced periodontitis over a one-year period.

The patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups, with all undergoing scaling as the standard treatment. However, the remaining groups received different complementary therapies. One group received antibiotics, another group received a combination of the antibiotics metronidazole and amoxicillin, a third group took omega-3 and aspirin separately, and the fourth group received both antibiotics and omega-3/ASA simultaneously.

After three, six, and 12 months, the research showed that about 58% of patients treated with antibiotics met the researchers' goal of having no more than four deep periodontal pockets, while 57.7% of those treated with omega-3 and ASA achieved the same result. The group that received only scaling and a placebo had a rate of 23.1%.

The study suggests that this combination could be a promising therapeutic alternative for some patients, reducing the need for antibiotics and potentially addressing concerns about bacterial resistance.