OCCLUSAL TRAUMA AND ORAL MICROBIOTA CORRELATION: A MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY

Aim: This study is to assess the effects of treating occlusal stress on the bacterial flora subgingival to the gingiva and periodontal health, with a focus on changes in clinical parameters such pus presence, bleeding on probing, etc. Materials and Methods: There were fifteen nonsmoking adults with adult periodontitis who were free of systemic illnesses and recent antibiotic use. At least three of the upper anterior teeth in each showed occlusal damage and a pocket depth of three millimeters. Five patients received a temporary resin bridge, and ten patients underwent intracoronal splinting. Using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to evaluate bacterial loads, including particular pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) , clinical parameters and subgingival flora samples were measured at baseline (T0), 20 days (T1), and 60 days (T2). Results: After 60 days, there were notable improvements in bleeding on probing (p<0.001), pus present (p<0.002), and probing depth (mean decrease of 3.13 mm, p<0.001). Notable decreases were observed in the overall bacterial load and in the following pathogens: Tannerella forsythensis (Tf) (87.5%, p=0.007), Treponema denticola (Td) (92.6%, p=0.001), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) (83.4%, p=0.008), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) (59.5%, p=0.046), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) (92.6%, p=0.001). Conclusion: Without the need for medicine or surgery, treating occlusal trauma improves clinical parameters and reduces pathogenic bacterial loads, hence improving periodontal health. The significance of treating occlusal variables in periodontal therapy is underscored by these findings.