Simvastatin gel may enhance osseointegration of Dental Implants, Study Finds

A groundbreaking study revealed that
1.2% simvastatin gel positively affects dental implant osseointegration. The
results, published in The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants,
observed increased osteoblastic activity about four weeks after implant
placement due to faster osseointegration at an early stage.

Dental implants are widely
accepted treatment options for fully or partially edentulous patients. Implants
undergo osseointegration, which integrates them with the natural bone. Osseointegration
is essential for the success of the implants. Recent literature shows that simvastatin,
a cholesterol-reducing drug, has been recently used to enhance osseointegration
of dental implants. It is found to accelerate bone regeneration in bone
defects. Hence, researchers used bone scintigraphy to estimate the effect of
simvastatin gel in the osseointegration of dental implants.

Also Read: Outcomes of Immediate implant placement in damaged extraction sockets comparable to conventional implant placement finds study

A randomized controlled trial was
carried out on about 20 participants with missing mandibular first molars and D2-type
bone. The participants were assigned equally to two groups. Group A received
1.2% simvastatin, and Group B received placebo gels during implant placement.
The participants were subjected to bone scintigraphy to determine the
osteoblastic activity at baseline, 30 days, and 90 days after implant
placement.

Findings:

  • There was a significant increase in osteoblastic
    activity between baseline, day 30, and day 90 (P < .05) in group A.
  • Group B showed a significant increase in
    osteoblastic activity only between baseline and day 30 and between baseline and
    day 90 (P < .05).
  • No difference was observed between days 30 and
    90 (P > .05), with a higher mean of 79.20% ± 18.255% on day 30.
  • Groups A and B showed a significant difference in
    bivariate analysis performed at different periods on day 30.
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Thus, the study concluded that
1.2% of simvastatin gel is efficient in osseointegration of implants. The researchers
attributed this to enhanced osteoblastic activity, which hastened the
osseointegration of implants.

Further reading: Maheshwaran KS,
Banu R F, Kumar V A, Mohamed K. Comparative Evaluation of Simvastatin Gel in
Enhancing Periimplant Osteoblastic Activity During the Osseointegration Phase
Using Bone Scintigraphy: A Prospective Case-Control Double-Blinded Study. Int
J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2024;39(5):707-712. doi:10.11607/jomi.10741

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