The efficacy of vitamin c oral supplement on wound healing after tooth extraction

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and proper dosage of oral vitamin C supplement on post-extraction wound healing.

Methods: This study was a split mouth, double-blind, randomized-controlled clinical trial of 42 patients who underwent symmetric bilateral non-infected premolars extraction. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups (14 patients for each group); 1.placebo vs vitamin C 600 mg/d, 2.placebo vs vitamin C 1,500 mg/d and 3.vitamin C 600 mg/d vs vitamin C 1,500 mg/d. Each group was prescribed placebo and/or vitamin C three times a day for 10 days after each tooth extraction. The assessment of the wound was performed on day 0, 7 and 21 then then the other side extraction was performed with the same protocol. Size of the extraction wound in bucco-lingual width, mesio-distal width, depth and 1% toluidine blue stained were collected by two examiners. Pain score and high vitamin C-containing diets were recorded by each patient on the first three days and seven days, respectively.

Results: The percentage reduction of the extraction wound size in mesiodistal dimension between day 0 and day 7 of teeth receiving vitamin C 600 mg daily was more than that in placebo (P < 0.05). Pain scores on day 1-3 after tooth extraction of teeth receiving vitamin C 600 mg daily was significantly lower than the placebo side (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Taking oral vitamin C 600 mg/d for 10 days after tooth extraction tended to promote extraction wound healing and reduced post-operative pain.