Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of aloe vera gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) on plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing pocket depth (PPD) in periodontitis treatment. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, focusing on aloe vera gel as an adjunct to SRP in periodontitis patients. An extensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, OVID, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases up to October 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (ROB 2.0), and statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs were included in this systematic review, and separate meta-analyses were conducted for each outcome. For PI, the random effects model showed a mean difference (MD) of -0.23 (95% CI: -0.69, 0.23), favoring the experimental group (P=0.33). The fixed effects model for PI favored the control group (MD=0.12; P=0.20). For GI, the random effects model favored the experimental group (MD=-0.28, P=0.01), while the fixed effects model favored the control group (MD=0.17; P<0.001). For PPD, the random effects model favored the experimental group (MD=-0.45, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: As an adjunct to SRP, aloe vera gel significantly improved PI, GI, and PPD in periodontitis patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD42020201315.