Melatonin: A Review of Its Potential Functions and Effects on Dental Diseases.

Maria Permuy,Antonio González-Cantalapiedra,Mónica López-Peña,Fernando Muñoz

doi:10.3390/ijms18040865

Maria Permuy, Antonio González-Cantalapiedra + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18040865

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Abstract

Melatonin is a hormone synthesised and secreted by the pineal gland and other organs. Its secretion, controlled by an endogenous circadian cycle, has been proven to exert immunological, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects that can be beneficial in the treatment of certain dental diseases. This article is aimed at carrying out a review of the literature published about the use of melatonin in the dental field and summarising its potential effects. In this review article, an extensive search in different databases of scientific journals was performed with the objective of summarising all of the information published on melatonin use in dental diseases, focussing on periodontal diseases and dental implantology. Melatonin released in a natural way into the saliva, or added as an external treatment, may have important implications for dental disorders, such as periodontal disease, as well as in the osseointegration of dental implants, due to its anti-inflammatory and osseoconductive effects. Melatonin has demonstrated to have beneficial effects on dental pathologies, although further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms of this molecule.

Highlights

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine) is an indoleamine synthesised and secreted by the pineal gland and other organs, such as the retina, bone marrow, and intestines in a circadian pattern.Extrapineal sites contribute poorly, or only upon specific stimuli to circulating melatonin [1]
The aim of this review is to summarise the potential actions of melatoninininthe theoral oralcavity, cavity, focussing on implantology and periodontal disease
Most studies evaluated in this review reported that in a short period of time after the implant placement, ranging between two and eight weeks, melatonin significantly increased BIC, BV/TV, new bone area, and inter-thread bone, leading to an increase in the osteoblast proliferation in the peri-implant zone [2,42]

Summary

Introduction

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine) is an indoleamine synthesised and secreted by the pineal gland and other organs, such as the retina, bone marrow, and intestines in a circadian pattern.Extrapineal sites contribute poorly, or only upon specific stimuli to circulating melatonin [1]. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine) is an indoleamine synthesised and secreted by the pineal gland and other organs, such as the retina, bone marrow, and intestines in a circadian pattern. Melatonin influences numerous physiological actions that may be mediated by the binding of the indoleamine to membrane receptors in all tissues [2,3]. Melatonin is not considered a hormone in the classical sense of the term, because it is synthesised in several organs and does not exert effects on a specific target [9], but it is rather a powerful cell protector against molecular damage. For the synthesis of melatonin, the pineal cells take up tryptophan from the blood and, through a hydroxylation and a decarboxylation process, turn it into serotonin. The production of melatonin declines after the age of 40–45 years, with a continuous reduction as age increases [11]

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