In a study investigating whether wounds heal better after vitamin B complex ingestion, 30 patients with at least 2 teeth in a sextant with pockets of 5 mm or more and needing periodontal flap surgery due to chronic periodontitis, pocketing, and bleeding on probing (BOP) were divided into 2 groups. One group received a supplement consisting of vitamin B complex, and the other group received a placebo. Both groups were placed on this regimen for 30 days post surgery. The vitamin B complex consisted of 50 mg each of thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacinamide, d-calcium pantothenate, and pyridoxine hydrochloride, 50 µg each of d-biotine and cyanocobalamin, and 400 µg of folate. Measurements were taken at the beginning, at 90 days, and 180 days. Clinical attachment levels, BOP, gingival index, and plaque index were measured at the beginning, and at 7, 14, 30, 90, and 180 days. Results indicated no significant difference between the groups with regard to plaque index and gingival index. However, BOP was significantly better in the vitamin supplement group at 7 and 14 days with a greater decrease than placebo at 180 days, including better clinical attachment levels. There were no significant differences in probing depths between the 2 groups. However, due to the clinical attachment gains in the supplement group, indications were that vitamin B complex supplements produced a trend to better wound healing after periodontal surgery.
(Source: Dental Abstracts, Vol. 51, Issue 3, 2006)
