title: Randomized, double-blind study on effectiveness of intra-alveolar chlorhexidine gel in reducing the incidence of alveolar osteitis in mandibular third molar surgery.
abstract: Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash is a good prophylactic agent for postextraction alveolar osteitis (AO), a very common complication. Recently, a bio-adhesive gel to deliver the active substance, CHX, has been introduced. The intra-alveolar positioning of the bio-adhesive gel allows more direct and prolonged action of CHX, which could be useful in the prevention of AO following extraction of impacted third molars. Presented here is a double-blind, randomised and parallel-group study evaluating the efficacy of the bio-adhesive 0.2% CHX gel (n=53) applied once within the alveolus during third molar surgery, compared to placebo gel only (n=50), in reducing the incidence of impacted third-molar postextraction AO. A 63.33% reduction in the occurrence of AO (P=0.019) was observed in the experimental group. In the control group, the occurrence of AO was 30% compared to 11% in the experimental group. Bio-adhesive 0.2% CHX gel, applied only once within the alveolus site at the time of surgery, may reduce the incidence of AO following removal of impacted third molars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Seville, Seville, Spain. danieltl@us.es
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torres-Lagares
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-Perez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Infante-Cossio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia-Calderon
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Romero-Ruiz
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Serrera-Figallo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery; D010000:Osteitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000187:drug effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005782:Gels; D002710:Chlorhexidine