title: Effectiveness of intra-alveolar chlorhexidine gel in reducing dry socket following surgical extraction of lower third molars. A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dry socket is one of the most studied complications in dentistry and several studies have sought an effective and safe method for its prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intra-alveolar gel chlorhexidine in preventing dry socket after the surgical removal of third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample involved the treatment of 40 patients who required extraction of third molars impacted, which were randomly assigned to research groups: experimental group (chlorhexidine gel 0.12%) and control group (placebo gel). Performed the extraction was administered 1 mL of chlorhexidine gel or 1 mL of placebo gel within the socket. The removal of suture was on the fifth postoperative day in which the presence or absence of dry socket was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No relationship between the appearance of dry socket after application of chlorhexidine gel or placebo gel (X2 test, p = 0.311) was found. However, significant differences (U Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.036) in the pain presented on the fifth postoperative day were evident (VAS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of intra-alveolar chlorhexidine gel 0.12% could generate a better response to postoperative pain after the removal of third molars.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Third molar surgery, dry socket, chorhexidine gel.
authors.affiliation: Dentist Surgeon.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Requena-Calla
authors.affiliation: Dentist Surgeon, Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
authors.forename: Italo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Funes-Rumiche