Clinical evaluation of simvastatin-gelatin sponge application in preservation of alveolar bone after tooth extraction

Abstract

Alveolar bone resorption after tooth extraction is a natural healing process resulting in aesthetic and functional problems when extracted tooth is replaced by artificial prosthesis. Recent research works are focusing on developing new materials and strategies that are simple, effective, easily available and less expensive in preserving remaining alveolar bone. Topically applied simvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, has been shown to stimulate BMP-2, TGF-beta and VEGF mRNA expression in osteoblasts and promote bone regeneration. Gelatin sponge is widely used for the prophylaxis of wound infections and secondary bleeding after extractions. The present study was aimed to evaluate alveolar bone preservation after application of simvastatin-gelatin sponge combination after tooth extraction. The material was placed in the extraction socket of 30 participants immediately after extraction of diseased tooth. Cone-beam Computed Tomography radiographs were taken immediately, 1 and 3 months after extraction. Bone height and width of remaining alveolar bone were measured at different levels in radiographs. Repeated measure ANOVA was employed to evaluate the differences in measured parameters between study time points. The results showed that there was no significant change in bone height and bone width during study period. It is concluded that application of simvastatin-gelatin sponge combination in extracted socket effectively preserves remaining alveolar bone after extraction until 3 months.