Evaluation of the Effect of Topical Melatonin Application on Immediately Placed Dental Implants Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Aims and objective Immediate implants provide ideal three-dimensional positioning compared to conventional implants. There may be a gap between the surface of the implant and the bone walls of the socket when it is inserted into a recently extracted alveolus. To compensate for this, various grafting materials are used. Recently, melatonin has gained significant attention because of its inhibitory action on bone resorption. So, we conducted the study to evaluate the effects of topical melatonin application on immediately placed implants. Methods The present study was conducted to compare the radiographic outcomes of immediately placed dental implants with and without topical application of melatonin using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with nine months of follow-up. A total of 14 patients were selected, of which seven were placed without the application of melatonin and seven were placed along with the application of melatonin. Within four months, all the implants were loaded functionally with permanent prostheses. Mean crestal bone levels, bone volume, and bone density are evaluated in both groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of crestal bone loss near immediately inserted implants in the melatonin group as compared to the control group. In the bone volumetric analysis and bone density, the overall mean bone volume loss is less in the melatonin group. The statistical significance of the difference was determined. Conclusions The present study seems to support the hypothesis that the topical application of melatonin in immediately placed dental implants provides with better osseointegration and good survival rates.