Efficacy of statins in tissue healing following tooth extraction: a systematic review of animal studies.

BACKGROUND

Statins, with their unique ability to stimulate bone formation and soft tissue healing, hold the potential to revolutionize dental care. The present study aims to delve into the profound effects of statins on bone and soft tissue healing in dental extraction sockets, offering a promising future for dental professionals and patients alike.

METHODS

This systematic review aimed to understand the role of stains in tissue healing following dental extraction. This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Ongoing Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022299247). A comprehensive electronic database search yielded 412 manuscripts. After a rigorous screening process, nine manuscripts met the eligibility criteria. The study sample consisted of 403 animals, with eight studies utilizing rat animal models and one conducted on mongrel dogs.

RESULTS

Overall, the application of statin drugs holds promise for improving tissue healing outcomes following tooth extraction. The primary outcome variables across all studies were residual ridge height and width, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone and gingival healing, inflammatory response, and bone turnover (BT), bone formation in tooth extraction socket, and osteogenic healing in a tooth extraction socket.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study underscore the significant potential of statin drugs to enhance tissue healing outcomes following tooth extraction. This discovery opens new and exciting possibilities for improving dentistry patient care, potentially transforming how we approach post-extraction healing.