Melatonin may improve bone healing around dental implants

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 10. November 2026

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ALEXANDRIA, Egypt: Melatonin is being studied as a local adjunct to immediate implant placement for its potential to influence both bone formation and resorption. A new randomised controlled clinical trial conducted by researchers at Alexandria University investigated whether applying melatonin around newly placed implants could improve bone preservation and influence the biological processes involved in early osseointegration. Their findings suggest that its potential benefit may lie particularly in limiting bone loss.

The study involved 24 patients requiring extraction of non-restorable maxillary premolars. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: 12 received immediately placed dental implants with local melatonin application, while the remaining 12 received implants without melatonin (control group). The researchers investigated peri-implant bone changes using CBCT immediately after implant placement and at six months, alongside changes during the first three months in serum osteoprotegerin (OPG), a protein involved in regulating bone resorption.

The biochemical findings revealed significantly higher OPG levels in the melatonin group after one month compared with the control group. However, this difference was no longer statistically significant at three months. The researchers suggested that this early change was consistent with melatonin’s role in regulating bone remodelling.

The radiographic findings were particularly encouraging. By six months, bone density had increased in both groups, and the final measurements did not differ significantly. However, the melatonin group showed a significantly greater proportional increase from baseline. Bone volume decreased in both groups, but the reduction was considerably smaller among patients who received melatonin. Marginal bone loss was also significantly lower in this group.

The researchers suggested that melatonin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and bone regulating properties may contribute to these favourable outcomes by supporting bone formation and limiting bone resorption during early peri-implant remodelling. Findings from a separate 2026 randomised clinical trial point in a similar direction. That study reported greater new bone formation following melatonin application in extraction sockets before implant placement.

The study, titled “Effect of local melatonin application on immediately placed implants in maxillary premolars (a biochemical and radiographic randomized controlled clinical trial)”, was published online on 17 October 2026 in BMC Oral Health.