Aim: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to answer the questions: (i) “Is periodontal treatment effective to improve clinical and immunological conditions in obese subjects?”; (ii) “Do obese subjects present different clinical and immunological response after periodontal therapy when compared to non-obese subjects?”

Methods: Searches were performed in six databases up to August 2014. Interventional studies were included if the following data were described: (1) Obesity/overweight assessment; (2) definition of periodontal disease; (3) periodontal therapy; (4) inflammatory marker in serum/plasma, and/or clinical parameters of periodontal disease. Assessment of quality was performed with the Downs and Black scale. Meta-analyses were conducted with the available data.

Results: Of 489 articles, 5 were included, and only 3 proceeded to meta-analysis of clinical outcomes. Included studies presented fair methodological quality. Statistical analysis demonstrated that periodontal therapy in obese subjects was effective to improve clinical outcomes. No clinical differences between post-therapy results of obese and non-obese were observed. Effects of periodontal therapy on inflammatory markers remain unclear.

Conclusions: Periodontal treatment seems to be effective to improve healing in obese individuals. No differences on periodontal healing between obese and non-obese subjects were observed; however, only limited and fragile base of evidence was available for analysis.

Clinical relevance: Periodontal treatment is effective to improve clinical and immunological periodontal parameters in adults. Also, obesity seems to not modify the periodontal healing after treatment.