[Interest of periodontitis screening and treatment in pregnancy: systematic review]

For 15 years, the investigation of a relationship between periodontal diseases and complications of pregnancy is explored, and allowed the publication of conflicting results. This work is a literature review of articles of high level of evidence, which aims to clarify the impact of treatment of periodontal disease on pregnancy. Among the 15 selected randomized controlled trials (RCT), nine concluded a significant reduction in pregnancy complications between the "experimental" group treated and "control" group. However, six other RCT concluded that the lack of a significant difference between the two groups has higher levels and a more robust methodology. In 2006, a RCT, published in an influent medical journal, announced that there would be no significant benefit to treat pregnant women to reduce the complications of pregnancy. The contradictions found in the different studies have led some authors of meta-analysis to allocate the RCT per groups of power, based on their methodology. Meta-analysis using this methodology concluded that there is no benefit for periodontal treatment to reduce complications of pregnancy. In conclusion, the next RCT conducted should standardize their methodological criteria, and preferably multicenter, including a large number of participants. In addition, a more precise definition of periodontal diseases for the purpose of research is necessary. Finally, the notion of success or failure of periodontal treatment must be considered.