Effect of Simvastatin on Bone Regeneration: A Histologic and Histomorphometric Analysis

Abstract: Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of simvastatin administration as an osteoinductive agent in combination with bovine bone material (BBM) for augmentation of human maxillary sinuses. Materials and Methods In this randomized clinical trial with split-mouth design, 24 maxillary sinuses in 12 patients were augmented using BBM alone or in combination with simvastatin. Biopsy samples were taken 9 months after maxillary sinus floor augmentation for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. A total of 44 implants were placed in the augmented bone. Results Results of microscopic assessment of most samples revealed no inflammation or mild chronic inflammation. Lamellation was detectable in old bone trabeculae under polarized light microscopy, which was not observed in newly formed bone. Osteocytes were found with lower frequency in the lacunae of newly formed bone compared to normal bone. There were no significant differences in the amount of newly formed bone and amount of residual particles between the two groups. Conclusion Despite higher mean percentage of newly formed bone in the test group, histomorphometric analysis results did not show significant positive effect for simvastatin in maxillary sinus augmentation.