Daily intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 39 patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy received either heat-inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) or placebo over 12 weeks. Both groups showed improvements, but the HK L-137 group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in probing depth at sites with pockets ≥4 mm. The study suggests that daily intake of HK L-137 may enhance the effects of periodontal therapy by further reducing pocket depth.