The topical application of sulfathiazole after extraction

Abstract

Four hundred and sixty-six sockets were packed with sulfathiazole, 250 of these cases being impacted molars and canines where the teeth had been removed surgically. Two hundred and sixteen cases were routine extractions of man dibular molar teeth. Of the 250 impacted teeth extracted, no infection resulted in any case, and approximately 3 per cent of these cases experienced slight pain. It seems that swelling and pain were considerably reduced while healing was enhanced. Of the 216 routine extractions of mandibular molars, one dry socket resulted; however, in the remainder of cases, pain and swelling were again reduced a great amount; about 4 per cent experienced pain, and healing was greatly increased. No general reaction was witnessed in any of the cases, and out of twenty patients followed up a month later, none had received any deleterious effects. In twenty-three cases a control was attempted by inserting the drug in a socket on one side of the mandible and not applying it to a similar socket on the opposite side. In none of these cases were infection, swelling, or pain noted on the side where the drug was inserted, while in seven of them pain and inflammation were observed on the side where the drug had not been administered. Five dry sockets were packed with sulfathiazole; this treatment seemed no more efficient than usual methods.