biostudies-literatureLin JYTexas A&M University Health Science Center292https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12294119biostudies-literatureUnknown13(7)<b>Background</b>: Periodontitis is linked to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), including snoring, with 50-75% of cases involving mouth breathing (MB). Standard treatment includes scaling and root planing (SRP). Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is used to treat snoring and SDB. OAT plus a mouth shield (OAT+) worn during sleep may reduce MB to enhance periodontal health. This study evaluated whether OAT+, as an adjunct to SRP, improves periodontal health by reducing periodontal pathogens and facilitating upper airway patency. <b>Methods</b>: Fourteen participants with mild-moderate periodontitis were randomized to receive SRP on one side of the mouth at baseline (T0). Pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) were recorded, and bacterial DNA from periodontal pockets weDentistry journalEffects of Oral Appliance Therapy with a Mouth Shield in Periodontitis Patients Who Snore: A Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial.PMC12294119Seedling Grant Program, IRB#2022-1450Lin JYSchneiderman ESchramm PParra Carrasquer CHui JStenberg WHarvey JAGerman ZfalseEffects of Oral Appliance Therapy with a Mouth Shield in Periodontitis Patients Who Snore: A Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial.<b>Background</b>: Periodontitis is linked to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), including snoring, with 50-75% of cases involving mouth breathing (MB). Standard treatment includes scaling and root planing (SRP). Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is used to treat snoring and SDB. OAT plus a mouth shield (OAT+) worn during sleep may reduce MB to enhance periodontal health. This study evaluated whether OAT+, as an adjunct to SRP, improves periodontal health by reducing periodontal pathogens and facilitating upper airway patency. <b>Methods</b>: Fourteen participants with mild-moderate periodontitis were randomized to receive SRP on one side of the mouth at baseline (T0). Pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) were recorded, and bacterial DNA from periodontal pockets we2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jun2025-08-13T03:04:28.448Z2025-08-13T03:04:28.448ZS-EPMC122941194071013710.3390/dj13070292