A double-blind randomized study evaluating the effect of intra-alveolar chlorhexidine gel on alveolar osteitis after removal of mandibular third molars.

PURPOSE

The main purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether intra-alveolar chlorhexidine (CHX) gel is an effective preventative treatment for alveolar osteitis (AO), as has been strongly suggested by previous investigators. Another goal was to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the use of analgesics during the postoperative week and the development of AO, a correlation that could be a supplement to the commonly used diagnostic criteria for AO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A double-blinded randomized study was performed to assess whether intra-alveolar administration of CHX decreases AO. To achieve this objective, the extraction and postoperative course of 100 impacted mandibular third molars were studied. Ninety-seven percent of teeth operated on had a diagnosed pathology. The extraction alveoli were treated with CHX or placebo. The intake of analgesics was recorded for 7 days after the operation.

RESULTS

Statistically important differences in AO between the control and experimental groups were not found. The intake of analgesics reflected the occurrence of AO with a high degree of importance.

CONCLUSION

The present study did not verify that application of CHX gel improves healing after removal of impacted third molars. The patients' postoperative analgesic intake reflected the development of AO.