Effectiveness of Chlorhexidine Gel on Incidence of Alveolar Osteitis

"Objectives:" Alveolar Osteitis (AO) is one of the common complications of third molar extraction. It is characterized by pain occurring between the first and third day postextraction due to disintegration of the intra-alveolar blood clot. Several drugs have been used in the prevention of AO such as chlorhexidine (CHX) rinses as an antiseptic agent. Recently, 0.2% CHX gel has been introduced for intra-alveolar placement of the substance. It has been suggested it has more effect due to direct and prolonged contact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the intra-alveolar use of the 0.2% CHX gel in prevention of AO following the surgery of impacted mandibular third molars.

"Methods:" In this mouth split double-blind randomized clinical trial study, non-smoker patients of both genders (20 patients of each) between the age of 18 and 41 years who had plan to undergo surgery for both impacted mandibular third molars were selected. No patient was taking birth controls. Under local anesthesia both impacted teeth were removed and for each patient 0.2% CHX gel was placed in one socket. In the other socket a Gel placebo was applied, considered as control group. All patients were evaluated on forth and seventh days postoperatively for clinical evaluation of AO and also pain and swelling on given questionnaire, respectively.

"Results:" A 56% decrease in postoperation AO in the gel group was observed (P=0.453). The control group had 12.5% incidence postoperative AO, while the gel group had 5%. The difference was not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were found in postoperative pain and swelling between two groups.

"Conclusion:" Topical intra-alveolous application of 0.2% CHX gel following the surgery of impacted mandibular third molars may decrease the incidence of AO. To obtain statistically significant results, further studies using more samples are needed.