Evaluation of efficacy of simvastatin in bone regeneration following local application in third molar extraction socket: A randomized control trial

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to study the efficacy of simvastatin in bone regeneration following the local application in third molar extraction sockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial done on 50 patients involving 100 third molar teeth extraction sockets. The patients were randomly divided based on the placement of simvastatin. Extraction sockets which were treated with simvastatin were considered study sockets and without simvastatin were considered control sockets. The study socket was assigned for the placement of simvastatin (10 mg) powder along with gelfoam as carrier moistened with normal saline solution and control socket was assigned for the placement of gelfoam moistened with saline. Intraoral periapical radiographs were taken on the 1(st), 4(th), 8(th), and 12(th) weeks, and mean gray scale values indicating bone density were evaluated for both the groups. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken by the end of the 12(th) week to further evaluate the osseous regeneration. Patients were compared and evaluated for bone density, pain, and swelling. Pain and swelling were evaluated on postoperative days 1 and 7. RESULTS: The mean gray-level histogram values (bone density) were statistically highly significant in the study group compared to the control group in the 1(st), 4(th), 8(th), and 12(th) weeks, and CBCT also showed statistically significant difference between the control and study group by the end of the 12(th) week. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that the local application of simvastatin promotes and enhances bone formation in the extraction sockets, which provides a very cost-effective way for faster bone regeneration.