Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin c using mesotherapy approach in the treatment of persistent gingivitis

Abstract

Vitamin C, being a strong reducing agent, can regulate the resolution of the inflammatory process and stimulate the tissue repair. It enhances the synthesis of collagen type I, reduced by inflammatory process, keeps the balance between collagen I and collagen III, and modifies the rate of fibroblast proliferation. Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure which involves local intradermal therapy with biologically active substances given in minor quantities to the area of pathology. However, the studies on local injection of Vitamin C showed inconclusive results. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficiency of the locally injected vitamin C in the treatment of persistent gingival inflammation. After one week of SRP, ten patients with persistent gingival inflammation were included in the study. In the test group, five patients were treated with single application of locally delivered vitamin C into the gingival tissues and the other five patients in the control group were given saline as the placebo. Plaque index and sulcus bleeding index were evaluated at baseline and at 1 week post-operatively. Group A (Test group) showed a mean difference of 1.75 (pre and post op) in plaque scores which are statistically significant compared to that of group B (control group) that showed a mean difference of 0.15 in plaque scores which is not statistically significant. Sulcus bleeding index scores where statistically significantly (pre and post op) only in test group. There is no difference in plaque index and sulcus bleeding index between the test and control group at baseline, but a significant difference was observed between the two groups at 1 week follow up in plaque and sulcus bleeding index, favouring the test group. Vitamin C that is injected using mesotherapy approach has a synergistic interaction with SRP for treating persisting inflammation of the gingiva than compared to that of placebo at 1 week follow up period.