Abstract
Purpose: Alveolar osteitis (AO) is the most common postoperative complication of dental extractions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 1% versus 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel in reducing postoperative AO after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars, and assess the impact of treatment on the Oral HealthRelated Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Material and Methods: This clinical study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Eighty eight patients underwent surgical extraction of one retained mandibular third molar with the intra-alveolar application of 0.2% CHX gel. Afterwards, they were assigned to one of two groups: 1% CHX gel (n=42) or 0.2% CHX gel (n=46). The patients applied the gel twice a day to the wound for one week. All patients were evaluated for AO. Results: In the 0.2% CHX gel group, 13% of AO incidence was found, while in the 1% CHX gel group, AO incidence was 7%, a difference that was not statistically significant. Variables such as sensation of pain and inflammation at baseline and during one week, as well as OHRQoL of the patients at 24 hours and 7 days post-extraction, gave no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: There are no significant differences in AO after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars, when comparing applying 1% CHX gel twice a day for 7 days with 0.2% CHX gel. Key words:Alveolar osteitis, chlorhexidine gel, third molar.
Highlights
Alveolar osteitis (AO) is the most common postoperative complication of dental extractions [1], affecting the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of patients [2]
The objective of our study was to compare the effectiveness of week-long applications of CHX gel, in concentrations of 0.2% and 1%, in preventing postoperative AO after the extraction of retained mandibular third molars, as well as their impact on the patients OHRQoL
The double-blindedness was maintained throughout the study, and comparison of the risk factors derived from the patient and those of the interventions showed there were no significant differences between the two groups established
Summary
Alveolar osteitis (AO) is the most common postoperative complication of dental extractions [1], affecting the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of patients [2]. A recent review shows that 0.2% CHX gel, applied in the alveolus site twice a day for 7 days post-extraction, may be the best preventive measure [10] because it does not interfere with the local alveolar hemostasis [11]. Bioadhesive gels with higher concentrations of CHX have shown greater effectiveness in various clinical situations: periodontal treatment [14], after oral surgery procedures [15], implant dentistry [16], plaque control [17], caries prevention [18], and oral wound healing [19]. The objective of our study was to compare the effectiveness of week-long applications of CHX gel, in concentrations of 0.2% and 1%, in preventing postoperative AO after the extraction of retained mandibular third molars, as well as their impact on the patients OHRQoL
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