title: Efficiency of gaseous ozone in reducing the development of dry socket following surgical third molar extraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of ozone gas (O3) on the reduction of dry socket (DS) occurrence following surgical extraction of lower jaw third molars, influence of the indication for the extraction, and the difficulty of extraction on the incidence of DS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included thirty patients with bilaterally impacted third molars of mandible requiring surgical procedure for extraction. Following extraction, in the control group, saline solution was used for irrigation of extraction sockets and in the experimental group, intra-alveolar O3 was applied for 12 s (Prozone, W and H, UK, Ltd.). The surgeries were performed by the same oral surgeon. The follow-up visits were performed at 48 h and on day seven, postsurgery where the symptoms of DS were evaluated and intensity of pain has been recorded using visual analog scale 0-100.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this pilot study, DS was present in 16.67% and 3.33% of cases in the control and experimental groups, respectively (P = 0.20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of O3 may reduce the incidence of DS and accelerates the recovery period after the surgery. Prophylactic use of O3 may be suggested in all patients, especially in the patients at a risk of development of DS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Jehona
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Enis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ahmedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sejfija
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Zana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Agani
authors.affiliation: Dental Clinic "Identity" Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Vjosa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hamiti
keywords: Dry socket; ozone gas; third molar