title: A double-blind randomized study evaluating the effect of intra-alveolar chlorhexidine gel on alveolar osteitis after removal of mandibular third molars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Eastman Institute Maxillofacial Surgery, Public Dental Service, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: nelly.freudenthal@ftv.sll.se.
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freudenthal
authors.affiliation: Public Dental Service, Gotland County, Visby, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sternudd
authors.affiliation: Head, Department of Periodontology, Public Dental Service at Kista and Skanstull, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm; Adjunct Lecturer, Division of Periodontology, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jansson
authors.affiliation: Former Head, Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic, Sodersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wannfors
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003061:Codeine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000601:surgery; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004368:Dry Socket / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D061646:Operative Time; D010497:Pericoronitis / Q000601:surgery; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D010919:Placebos; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000187:drug effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005782:Gels; D010919:Placebos; C526278:acetaminophen, codeine drug combination; D000082:Acetaminophen; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D003061:Codeine