Comparison of Alvogyl, SaliCept Patch, and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Alveolar Osteitis

Abstract

The aim of the present randomized prospective clinical trial was to compare the effects of alvogyl, the SaliCept patch, and low-level laser therapy in the management of alveolar osteitis. The study population included 104 patients who had been referred to our clinic with a complaint of alveolar osteitis. The patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: group 1, curettage and irrigation alone; group 2, curettage and irrigation followed by alvogyl applied directly to the socket; group 3, curettage and irrigation followed by a SaliCept patch applied directly to the socket; and group 4, curettage and irrigation followed by continuous-mode diode laser irradiation (808 nm, 100 mW, 60 seconds, 7.64 J/cm(2)). The treatment procedures were repeated after 3 days. The clinical signs and symptoms for each patient were recorded at diagnosis, at 3 days after the diagnosis, and at 7 days after the diagnosis. In addition, the pain intensity levels for each patient were recorded at diagnosis and daily for 7 days after the initial treatment. No statistically significant differences in the management of alveolar osteitis were observed between groups 2 and 3. However, the management of alveolar osteitis was significantly better in group 4 than in the other 3 groups. Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that acemannan in the form of the SaliCept patch is an acceptable alternative to alvogyl as a dressing for the management of alveolar osteitis. However, low-level laser therapy treatment at 7.64 J/cm(2) (0.1 W × 60 seconds = 6 J) performed superiorly to both SaliCept and alvogyl in managing alveolar osteitis in our study population.