Removal Of Third Molar Teeth Research Articles

Evaluation of 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse on the prevention of alveolar osteitis

A double-blind study evaluated the ability of 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse to decrease the incidence of localized alveolar osteitis after the removal of mandibular third molar teeth. One hundred sixty extraction sites in 80 patients were evaluated. A statistically significant decrease in the incidence of dry socket was seen in patients using the chlorhexidine rinse with no significant adverse reactions. Thus a 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse is shown to be an effective means of decreasing alveolar osteitis that may follow removal of third molar teeth.

Oxygen saturation during third molar removal with local anaesthetic alone and in combination with intravenous sedation

Oxygen saturation was recorded in 96 adults undergoing removal of third molar teeth in the dental surgery. Half the patients received local anaesthetic alone; the remainder received, in addition, intravenous midazolam. Patients receiving sedation sustained the greatest falls in oxygen saturation. However, in 10 out of 48 patients undergoing third molar removal with LA alone, oxygen saturations in the range of 93-89% were recorded. The results of this study suggest that all patients undergoing removal of third molars are at risk of hypoxia. Short episodes of hypoxia may be of little consequence in healthy patients, but in compromised patients early detection may avoid serious complications.