The effect of inflammatory response modulator agents on gingivitis and periodontitis

ABSTRACT Periodontal diseases are infecto-inflammatory diseases. Literature, has tried to elucidate the infections component of gingivitis and periodontitis, for several years. In recent years, much has been discussed about the role of the host response modulators to periodontal therapeutic procedures. The aim of the present literature review was to evaluate the effect of host response modulating agents (anti-inflammatories) on the pathogenesis of gingivitis and periodontitis. A search in the main databases was performed and human and animal studies were selected. The majority of studies was performed in humans and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in different dosages were used. The results have shown a potential benefit of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs concerning the microbial challenge. However, this benefit seems not to occur in the long term, thus not supporting it as a periodontal therapeutic approach. Few studies evaluated the effect of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Moreover, the results in humans and animals are controversial, pointing to a possible deleterious effect of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on periodontal structures.