Heat-killed Lactobacillus reuteri and cell-free culture supernatant have similar effects to viable probiotics during interaction with Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Background And Objective: In the last decade, numerous studies have been published to clarify the role of probiotics, especially Lactobacillus reuteri, as an adjunct to conventional periodontal treatment. Although the health benefits of probiotics are numerous, they are live bacteria, and the administration of live organisms is not risk-free. We evaluated the antimicrobial effect of L reuteri and its cell-free culture supernatant on Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone periodontal pathogen, in vitro.