Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immediate dental implants reduced treatment time and improved patient satisfaction, but achieving optimal osseointegration remained challenging. Bioactive agents, such as growth factors, cytokines and vitamins, are explored for their roles in enhancing bone healing and implant osseointegration. Vitamin D3 (calcitriol) showed promising potential in promoting these processes. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic effects of topical vitamin D3 (calcitriol) gel on immediate dental implants. METHODS: Twenty-four immediate implants were placed in healthy patients (aged 21–40 years) requiring replacement of single-rooted teeth in the anterior mandible. Patients were randomly allocated to either the control group (Group I: 12 implants inserted after tooth extraction) or the study group (Group II: 12 implants inserted after tooth extraction with topical vitamin D3 (calcitriol) gel). Clinical evaluations, including peri-implant probing depth, bleeding index, pain score and implant stability, were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Radiographic evaluation, represented by bone density analysis was conducted at the same intervals. RESULTS: After 6 months, the Vitamin D group showed significant improvement in soft tissue healing with greater reductions in probing depth and bleeding index (1.17 mm and 0.58 vs. 1.83 mm and 1.42, respectively). Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the Vitamin D group by day 7 (1.00 vs. 2.50), reflecting an 81.2% reduction compared to the control group. Implant stability significantly reached 80 ISQ in the Vitamin D group compared to 75 ISQ in the control group. Bone density was significantly higher in the Vitamin D group (139.01 vs. 121.01 GSV), increasing by 18.1% vs. 6.4% in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The reductions in peri-implant probing depth and bleeding index reflected improved soft tissue healing. The decrease in postoperative pain scores suggested potential analgesic effects. The increase in implant stability and bone density indicated enhanced osseointegration. These findings support the clinical application of topical vitamin D3 for immediate dental implant placement to promote peri-implant soft and hard tissue healing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06806423 (registration date: January 28, 2025).