The Influence of Vitamin D Serum Concentration on Third Molar Extraction Outcome: a Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: In the academic world, the debate continues on the subject of how far a lack of vitamin D can affect the healing of various wounds. OBJECTIVE: To determine if basal serum levels of vitamin D significantly influence clinical parameters linked to post-extraction wound healing after surgical removal of impacted/semi-impacted third molars. Methods: A total of 23 patients were included in this study. Clinical outcome parameters were: edema, trismus, pain, soft tissue healing, and dry socket signs. The research was divided into four stages. RESULTS: Due to the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (91%), patients were classified into an insufficient (≥ 20 ng/ml) or a deficient group (<20 ng/ml). The results showed no statistically significant differences in pain, edema, trismus, or soft tissue healing between those two groups. A slight statistical interaction was observed in the clinical parameters related to edema and trismus assessment, but not statistically significant. We did not notice signs of “dry socket” on any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Within its limitations (low number of patients, high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency), this pilot study failed to find a significant influence of serum vitamin D concentrations in wound healing or post-surgery symptom (pain, edema, trismus) development after third molar extraction. Further clinical investigations are necessary to elaborate on this function of vitamin D more precisely.