Topical Oral Melatonin Application Could Potentially Reduce the Risk of Orthodontic Appliance-Induced Periodontal Deterioration

Introduction: Although patients derive numerous aesthetic and functional benefits by wearing orthodontic appliances, they also undergo some adverse changes in the oral cavity such as chronic generalized marginal gingivitis and localized gingival enlargements that can be concerning. Salivary changes following placement of fixed orthodontic appliances have been documented by numerous research papers. The Hypothesis: Melatonin in the form of an orabase gel with 1% to 2% concentration applied daily topically on the gingival tissues throughout the orthodontic treatment phase could boost the salivary antioxidant levels, neutralize the nickel and chromium toxicity, potentially attenuating inflammation, and fibrotic enlargements of the periodontal tissue. Evaluation of the Hypothesis: Testing the abovementioned hypothesis will involve a randomized double-blinded clinical trial with a placebo and test orabase gel with 1% to 2% melatonin as an active drug agent. Testing and validating the proposed hypothesis will throw open a new vista in using melatonin as a topical adjuvant in orthodontic appliance wearers.