title: Effects of honey in the management of alveolar osteitis: A study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alveolar osteitis (AO) is a complication of tooth extraction which indicates inflammation of alveolar bone of either maxilla or mandible. This study uses Apitherapy where honey catalyses biological reactions to improve immune system, makes local environment unbearable for microorganisms in the affected socket and enhances healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 patients of AO were included in the study. After cleansing of the affected socket, honey dressing was applied. Dressings were changed daily for first 2 days and then altenatively. In biochemical investigations, CRP levels in the body were measured using Nephelometry method. Microbiological examination was done for the identification of microorganism and semi quantitative count of colony forming units.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results were assessed from clinical, microbiological, biochemical and radiological findings at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7thday based on VAS score, erythema, pus discharge, swelling, lymphadenitis, fever, bleeding on probing, exposed bone and necrotic debris. Pre-Treatment CRP was 2.08 ± 1.62 which significantly (P= 0.0001) decreased to 0.82 ± 0.48. Mean change and average percentage change were 1.25 ± 1.51 and 44.1% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of the patients with exposed bone got healed socket with evidance of granulation tissue and healing gingiva in about one week. CRP levels at the completion of treatment of AO with honey dressing showed a significant decrease from the pre-treatment values indicating fast recovery. Microbiological examination showed presence of normal commensal flora at AO sites likeStreptococcus, Staphyloccocus andEnterococcus. So, the role of bacteria in the genesis of AO, if any, appears unclear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nikita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vibha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shadab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohammad
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: U S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ranjana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Jyatasana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aggrwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Phytochemistry, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Mahesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pal
keywords: Alveolar osteitis; C-reactive protein; dry socket; honey