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

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.

Melatonin as host modulating agent supporting nonsurgical periodontal therapy in patients affected by untreated severe periodontitis: A preliminary randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled study

“…In dentistry, researchers tried to take advantage of melatonin's effect to improve oral cavity health . The use of melatonin in treating periodontal disease is hopeful .…”

“…24 In dentistry, researchers tried to take advantage of melatonin's effect to improve oral cavity health. [25][26][27] The use of melatonin in treating periodontal disease is hopeful. [28][29][30][31][32] It is physiologically present in saliva and in crevicular fluid; 33,34 patients affected by periodontitis show a statistically significant reduction in salivary melatonin levels.…”

Diabetic Status Influences the Storage of Melatonin in Human Salivary Glands

“…periods where the oral mucosa is specifically vulnerable. Melatonin, by acting as a radical scavenger (Galano et al, 2011), apparently the principal non-receptor-mediated role of the hormone, or by means of autocrine/paracrine signaling and by activation of the innate immune system (Suzuki et al, 2008;Reiter et al, 2015;Chaiyarit et al, 2017;Permuy et al, 2017) which, in fact, are receptor-mediated, would guarantee the maintenance of normal oral mucosal physiology. In contrast, low levels of melatonin in the oral cavity lead to inadequate preservation of mouth tissues and consequently to a high incidence of caries, infections and periodontal diseases (Cutando et al, 2006;Almughrabi et al, 2013).…”

Melatonin as an Agent for Direct Pulp-Capping Treatment

“…Melatonin may play a role in protecting the oral cavity and its use in oral diseases, such as implant placement or periodontitis, was studied by several groups, most of them with favorable results [18,19]. However, little is known about the effects of melatonin on the growth and development of teeth.…”