Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the influence of antihyperglycemic drug (metformin) on healing of bone and periodontal defects after impacted mandibular third molar surgery

Objectives The purpose of the current study was to clinically and radiographically assess the regenerative potential of metformin in enhancement of bone healing in third molar extraction sites. Patients and methods The present study included 40 healthy volunteers (27 females and 13 males) aged 21–27 years who had been scheduled for surgical removal of their impacted mandibular third molars. Volunteers were randomly assigned to either groups A or B. Twenty patients of group A (test) underwent surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar followed by application of metformin gel in the surgical site. Twenty patients of group B (control) underwent surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar only. Clinical and radiographic evaluation (cone beam computed tomography) was performed immediately after operation and at 6 months postoperatively in terms of the probing pocket depth, the bone defect length at the distal side of second lower molars, and bone density. Data were collected and statistical analysis was performed. Results At 6 months postoperatively group A (test) showed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.001) mean bone density compared with group B (control). On the other hand, there was nonsignificant (P ≥ 0.001) difference in the periodontal pocket depth and defect length between the test and control groups after 6 months. Conclusion There was a significant improvement regarding bone density at the surgical site using metformin after impacted mandibular third molar removal. Thus bone‑formative effects of the common oral antihyperglycemic agent MF can provide a new direction in the field of bone healing.