Plastic particles known as microplastics are now a ubiquitous part of the environment. Human exposure to microplastics occurs through the consumption of contaminated food and polluted air, which affect the intestinal system. Several studies have detected the presence of microplastics in various parts of the human digestive system, e.g., in feces. Unfortunately, little is known about the presence of microplastics in the mouth as the primary part of the digestive system. Periodontal pockets can be considered an ideal deposition site for microplastics. Since microplastics are suspected of being an immunomodulatory factor, there is great interest in their presence in subgingival plaque and their possible exacerbation of chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis. The following study aims to clarify the presence, classification, and concentration of microplastics in subgingival plaque. No comparable study has been identified to date.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 and over

• Gender: Female / male / diverse

• Patients

  • who have been diagnosed with stage III and IV periodontitis.
  • who have not yet started periodontal treatment.
  • who still have at least 20 teeth. Providing written consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients

  • who have already been treated for periodontitis
  • who have already undergone/begun periodontitis treatment

Patients with periodontitis, stage 3 or 4, with a full mouth probing score at the Department of Periodontology, Dental Clinics, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria

microplastic findings