[Effect of the treatment of periodontal disease on the outcome of pregnancy].

INTRODUCTION: Correlations between periodontitis and its effects on the outcome of pregnancies are actually more focused topics. Maternal motivation for a good oral hygiene and preventive dental treatment must be highlighted tasks during pregnancy care.

AIM: The authors analysed the effect of the preventive dental treatment during pregnancy and its obstetrical effects.

METHOD: In a prospective randomised study, including pregnant women observed for threatening preterm deliveries, patients with dental examination (n = 71) were compared with patients undergoing dental treatment at the same time (n = 79).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Univariate comparisons for categorical variables were assessed by χ2 tests and independent Student's t-tests for continuous variables. ORs were compared with Mantel-Haenszel tests. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors determining the poor periodontal parameters and gingivitis separately. The two-tailed statistical significance level was set at 5%.

RESULTS: In the dental treatment group, the neonatal birth weight was significantly higher than in the non-treated group, in case of patients with periodontitis (2990 ± 582.3 g vs 2568.1 ± 699.1 g, p = 0.005). Also the average age at delivery was significantly higher in the treated vs non-treated groups (37.3 ± 1.9 vs 36.0 ± 2.9 weeks, p = 0.027), and the treatment had a beneficial effect on the prolongation of pregnancy, with a higher level of significance in the gingivitis group vs patients with periodontitis groups (p = 0.02 vs p = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS: Dental treatment of expecting women has a beneficial effect on the prolongation of pregnancy by decreasing the rate of prematurity and perinatal complications. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(24): 978-984.