Xianling Feng,1,* Fucheng Tao,2,* Min Ren,3,* Mao Niu4 

1School of Medical, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Stomatology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Stomatology, Rizhao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Rizhao, 276800, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Medical Technology and Nursing, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Mao Niu, School of Medical Technology and Nursing, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, 7098 Liuxian Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 755 26011160, Fax +86 755 26018477, Email niu1037@szpu.edu.cn

Object: The present study intended to evaluate the effect of simvastatin-loaded nanomicelles (SVNs) on promoting new bone formation and reducing alveolar ridge resorption at the tooth extraction sites at the early healing of the extraction sockets.
Methods: SVNs were synthesized using a dialysis method. The rabbit tooth extraction model was established, SVNs and simvastatin (SV) were loaded on gelatin sponge and inserted into the extraction socket. CBCT scans were performed at 0, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively to evaluate bone formation and alveolar ridge absorption in the extraction sockets. And all the animals were sacrificed and the mandibles were harvested. And HE staining and Masson staining were used for histological evaluation of the bone formation in the extraction sockets.
Results: Radiographic evaluation showed that compared with the blank control group, at 2 and 4 weeks after extraction, SVNs increased the new bone density in the extraction sockets by 75.7% and 96.5%, and reduced the absorption rate of alveolar ridge length at the extraction sites by 60.8% and 49.1%, respectively. Histological evaluation showed that SVNs significantly improved the maturation of new bone tissue in the extraction sockets.
Conclusion: SVNs can significantly accelerate healing and effectively reduce the absorption of alveolar ridge at the extraction sites in the early stage of tooth extraction socket healing.

Keywords: alveolar ridge preservation, simvastatin-loaded nanomicelles, tooth extraction sites, bone formation