Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in the treatment of periodontitis. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, we registered a comprehensive protocol with PROSPERO. By employing PICOS criteria...

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Main Authors: Reham Abdel-Fatah, Ghada A. Elhusseiny, Wafaa Saleh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05445-0
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author Reham Abdel-Fatah
Ghada A. Elhusseiny
Wafaa Saleh
author_facet Reham Abdel-Fatah
Ghada A. Elhusseiny
Wafaa Saleh
author_sort Reham Abdel-Fatah
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in the treatment of periodontitis. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, we registered a comprehensive protocol with PROSPERO. By employing PICOS criteria, we evaluated randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of subgingival boric acid application alongside non-surgical periodontal therapy in treatment of periodontitis. Studies were systematically searched across multiple databases, with establishment of the eligibility criteria. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by reviewers. Results Among 1,640 records screened, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 281 participants aged 18–65 years. At 1-month, boric acid demonstrated significant improvements in probing pocket depth (PPD), but insignificant differences were observed in clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival index (GI). However, at 3 and 6 months, we found significant reductions in PPD while at 6 months, a significant increase in CAL gain were observed favoring boric acid. No significant changes in GI were noted at any follow-up duration. Conclusion Boric acid adjunctive therapy in non-surgical periodontal treatment shows promising efficacy in improving clinical parameters, particularly PPD and CAL, over time. While early outcomes may not show significance, sustained benefits are evident at longer follow-up periods. These findings underscore the potential of boric acid as a valuable addition to periodontal therapy, demanding further investigation to reveal its precise mechanisms and optimize clinical application.
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spelling doaj-art-560831d74a484bc0b07cf0f0f78ef1632025-01-19T12:41:10ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-01-0125111310.1186/s12903-025-05445-0Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysisReham Abdel-Fatah0Ghada A. Elhusseiny1Wafaa Saleh2Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Diagnosis and Oral Radiology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura UniversityOral Medicine, Periodontology, Diagnosis and Oral Radiology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura UniversityOral Medicine, Periodontology, Diagnosis and Oral Radiology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura UniversityAbstract Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in the treatment of periodontitis. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, we registered a comprehensive protocol with PROSPERO. By employing PICOS criteria, we evaluated randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of subgingival boric acid application alongside non-surgical periodontal therapy in treatment of periodontitis. Studies were systematically searched across multiple databases, with establishment of the eligibility criteria. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by reviewers. Results Among 1,640 records screened, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 281 participants aged 18–65 years. At 1-month, boric acid demonstrated significant improvements in probing pocket depth (PPD), but insignificant differences were observed in clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival index (GI). However, at 3 and 6 months, we found significant reductions in PPD while at 6 months, a significant increase in CAL gain were observed favoring boric acid. No significant changes in GI were noted at any follow-up duration. Conclusion Boric acid adjunctive therapy in non-surgical periodontal treatment shows promising efficacy in improving clinical parameters, particularly PPD and CAL, over time. While early outcomes may not show significance, sustained benefits are evident at longer follow-up periods. These findings underscore the potential of boric acid as a valuable addition to periodontal therapy, demanding further investigation to reveal its precise mechanisms and optimize clinical application.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05445-0Boric acidPeriodontal diseasesLocal drug deliverySystematic reviewMeta-analysis
spellingShingle Reham Abdel-Fatah
Ghada A. Elhusseiny
Wafaa Saleh
Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
BMC Oral Health
Boric acid
Periodontal diseases
Local drug delivery
Systematic review
Meta-analysis
title Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort therapeutic potential of boric acid as a local drug delivery agent in periodontitis a comprehensive systematic review and meta analysis
topic Boric acid
Periodontal diseases
Local drug delivery
Systematic review
Meta-analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05445-0
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AT wafaasaleh therapeuticpotentialofboricacidasalocaldrugdeliveryagentinperiodontitisacomprehensivesystematicreviewandmetaanalysis