The investigators primary objective in this clinical intervention study, therefore, was to explore the impact of omega-3 PUFAs in conjunction with scaling and root planing on salivary markers (in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Thirty systemically healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups. The control group (n=15) was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP)+placebo whereas the test group (n=15) was treated with SRP and dietary supplementation of low-dose omega-3 PUFAs (6.25 mg EPA and 19.19 mg DHA). Clinical parameters were taken at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months following therapy. Saliva samples were obtained at the same time intervals and analyzed for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis
• had at least nine posterior teeth (not including third molars and teeth with bridges and crowns)
• with 5-7 mm pocket depth
• three teeth with 6 mm or more of probing attachment loss enrolled in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients were excluded on the basis of periodontal surgery within the last year;
• SRP as part of initial periodontal therapy within the past 6 months;
• history of diabetes, any diseases or disorders that compromise wound healing, any history of acute or chronic inflammatory disease,
• any oral mucosal inflammatory condition (e.g., aphthous, lichen planus, leukoplakia, and oral cancer) and use of aspirin
• other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics within the last 6 months.