CoQ10 for Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery?

Clinical Evidence

The double‑blind, randomized clinical trial investigated whether oral Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation could accelerate soft‑tissue healing after mandibular wisdom‑tooth extraction and, secondarily, reduce the incidence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), dry‑socket formation, and improve post‑operative quality of life. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either CoQ10 or a matching placebo for the peri‑operative period. The primary outcome was the rate of tissue healing, assessed using a validated wound‑healing index at days 3, 7, and 14 post‑extraction. Secondary outcomes included TMD symptom scores (visual‑analogue scale), incidence of dry socket, and a health‑related quality‑of‑life questionnaire (SF‑12). The authors reported that the CoQ10 group showed a statistically significant improvement in the wound‑healing index (mean difference ≈ 1.2 points on a 10‑point scale) compared with placebo (p = 0.032). TMD symptom scores were reduced by 30 % in the CoQ10 group (p = 0.041), and the incidence of dry socket was lower (2 % vs. 8 % in controls), although the latter did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.12). Quality‑of‑life scores improved modestly (mean Δ = 4.5 points, p = 0.047). No serious adverse events were reported.

Mechanisms of Action

CoQ10 functions as a lipid‑soluble electron carrier within the mitochondrial electron‑transport chain, facilitating ATP production. In the oral mucosa, its antioxidant properties mitigate reactive oxygen species generated by surgical trauma, thereby attenuating inflammatory cytokine release (e.g., IL‑1β, TNF‑α). By stabilizing cellular membranes and enhancing fibroblast proliferation, CoQ10 is hypothesized to accelerate granulation tissue formation and collagen synthesis, which are essential for wound closure. The study’s secondary outcomes (reduced TMD pain) may reflect CoQ10’s modulation of nociceptive pathways through decreased oxidative stress in the temporomandibular joint.

Safety Profile

The trial reported only mild, transient gastrointestinal discomfort in 3 % of participants receiving CoQ10, comparable to the placebo group (2 %). No laboratory abnormalities or drug‑interaction events were documented. The authors noted that CoQ10 is generally well‑tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with prior literature. Contra‑indications were not specifically addressed, but the absence of serious adverse events suggests a favorable safety margin in otherwise healthy adults undergoing oral surgery.

Dosage Information

Participants received 100 mg of CoQ10 orally once daily, beginning one day prior to extraction and continuing for 14 days post‑operatively. The supplement was administered in capsule form with water. The study did not explore alternative dosing regimens or longer treatment periods.

Evidence Quality Assessment

The study provides moderate evidence for CoQ10’s benefit in post‑extraction tissue healing, derived from a well‑designed double‑blind RCT with statistically significant primary outcomes. However, the sample size (not disclosed in the abstract) appears modest, and secondary outcomes (dry socket, quality of life) achieved only borderline significance. The single‑center design and limited reporting of effect sizes and confidence intervals constrain the robustness of the findings. Additional larger, multi‑center trials with detailed pharmacokinetic data and longer follow‑up are needed to confirm efficacy and delineate optimal dosing.