Role of vitamin C in wound healing after dental implant surgery in patients treated with bone grafts and patients with chronic periodontitis

BackgroundPostoperative wound healing is an important part of the success of the dental implant surgery. However, in case of complex surgery or unfavorable factors, wound healing is often unsatisfactory. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the effects of vitamin C supplementation in wound healing, following the placement of dental implants with or without bone grafts and patients with chronic periodontitis. MethodsThis randomized controlled clinical trial included 128 patients requiring dental implants to replace missing teeth. Patients were divided into four groups, group A received dental implants supported by guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique, group B received dental implants with Bio-Oss Collagen, group C received dental implants in patients with chronic periodontitis, and group D received dental implants without any bone grafting or periodontal disease. Each group was divided into an experimental subgroup, who received vitamin C, and a control subgroup. Follow-up appointments were performed at day 3, day 7, and day 14 postsurgery, during which soft tissue healing and pain response scores were evaluated using the Landry index and visual analogue scale, respectively. ResultsThe experimental subgroups had significantly higher healing indices than the controls (P<.05) at day 7 postsurgery for group B and day 14 postsurgery for groups A, B, and C. Group D displayed no difference between the experimental and control groups at any time point. In reference to vitamin C for pain relief, there were no statistically significant differences between the study groups. ConclusionUsing vitamin C supplementation improves postoperative healing following dental implant surgery in patients with chronic periodontitis and patients treated with GBR or Bio-Oss Collagen grafts. However, vitamin C supplementation does not decrease the postoperative pain associated with dental implant surgery.