MOLAR EXTRACTION

Abstract

Introduction: Dry socket (DS) or Alveolar osteitis (AO) is a common postextraction complication in third molar removal. Various techniques have been used to reducethe risk of DS. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of Chlorhexidine (CHX) gel in preventing thedevelopment of DS. Study Design: Randomized double blind case-control study. Setting: Oraland Maxillofacial Surgery Department of University College of Dentistry(UCD), The Universityof Lahore, Pakistan. Period: July 2017 to December 2017. Methodology: Patients havingimpacted mandibular 3rd molars selected for surgical extraction. Randomly selected one groupconsisted of 30 patients received CHX gel and the other group again of 30 patients consideredas the control. The outcome variable was formation of DS and the predictor variable was CHXgel application. Data were processed using chi-square test with the confidence interval of95%. Results: 60 cases (39 females and 21 males) with average age of 22 years ± 5 yearsunderwent 3rd molar extractions. Total 09 sockets (15%) developed DS. The frequency of DS inCHX gel (2 cases, 6.7%) was significantly lower than control (7 cases, 23.3%) (P-value < 0.05).Conclusion: CHX gel can reduce the risk of development of DS after mandibular 3rd molarsurgical extraction.