Vitamin C, a key factor in post-extraction healing? A preliminary study

Abstract

In clinical practice, after dental extraction, the main objective is the healing of the postextraction wound, without complications and in the shortest time possible. According to specialized studies, the defense and regeneration mechanisms of the body are in direct correlation with the plasmatic level of some vitamins, mainly vitamin C, which is directly involved in the repair of damaged tissues. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the healing of the post-extraction wound in the conditions of oral administration of vitamin C, according to a predetermined administration protocol, as compared to the healing process under conventional conditions. Five volunteers were included in the study, who presented two teeth with indication of extraction, one of the extractions being performed under the conditions of administration of vitamin C. The evolution of the healing of the post-extraction wounds was assessed comparatively. The examination was done with the help of photographic examination by directly measuring the vestibulo-oral dimensions of the wounds using the digital micrometer and by recording the blood microcirculation at the level of the alveolar wound using the laser Doppler flowmetry. The level of vitamin C in the tissues was also determined, using the lingual test for vitamin C, a simple and non-invasive method that uses the reagent 2.6 dichlorophenolindophenol. The results of the preliminary study show that the evolution and healing of the postextraction wound is accelerated under the conditions of vitamin C administration, with regard to the administration protocol used in the study and compared to the healing situation under classical conditions. It can be stated that the human body consumes higher amounts of ascorbic acid in the case of dental extractions therefore the administration of vitamin C is a necessity if a faster healing of their post-extraction wounds is desired.