The effect of polylactic acid granules on the incidence of alveolar osteitis after mandibular third molar surgery. A prospective randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of polylactic acid granules placed in third molar sockets on the incidence of alveolar osteitis.


METHODS
A prospective randomized study with 161 patients (322 bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars).


RESULTS
The sockets in which the polylactic acid granules were placed had a significantly higher rate of alveolar osteitis (23.6%) than did the control sockets (13.58%). In all subgroups analyzed, the incidence of alveolar osteitis was higher in the experimental (polylactic acid) group.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the findings of this study, polylactic acid granules do not reduce the incidence of alveolar osteitis and may actually contribute to a higher incidence of alveolar osteitis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004368:Dry Socket / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007773:Lactates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*
D007773:Lactates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)