Comparison Between the Effects of Alvogyl Paste and 0.2% Chlorhexidine Gel on Postoperative Swelling Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery

Abstract

Facial swelling, pain, and trismus are typical side sequelae of mandibular third molar surgery. These symptoms are all caused by tissue inflammation followed by trauma from surgery and the quality of life of these patients has been significantly impacted by these symptoms in the immediate post-operative period. Both Alvogyl and chlorhexidine bio-adhesive gel are routinely used in dental practice to reduce post-operative sequelae due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The study was set up as a randomized controlled clinical study and conducted from February 2022 to September 2022. The study involved patients 18-39 years old who sought extraction of an impacted lower third molar attending the Oral Surgery Clinic in the College of Dentistry in Baghdad. The sample was divided into three groups, the first group received Alvogyl paste following third molar surgery while the second group received periokin chlorhexidine bio-adhesive gel and the last control group didn’t receive any medication. Results of a study with 51 patients, equally assigned into two study groups and a control group, indicate that in the study groups, there was a reduction in post-operative facial swelling in comparison with the control group and the reduction was statistically significant (P =0.001), and the Alvogyl paste was superior to chlorhexidine in swelling reduction but statistically not significant.