The Effect of Chlorhexidine in the Prevention of Alveolar Osteitis after Surgical Extraction of Lower Molars

Abstract

This study included ninty adult patients selected from the outpatient clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology, their ages ranged from 18 to 45 years old, complaining from problems related to lower molars and impacted mandibular third molars. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of alveolar osteitis after topical application of 0.2% chlorhexidine gel following removal of lower molars and impacted mandibular wisdom teeth. The selected patients were divided equally into 3 groups: each group included 30 patients. 20 patients from each group undergo surgical extraction of lower molars and 10 patients undergo surgical removal of impacted lower third molar by the same operator using the regular flap design and regular surgical technique, After surgical extraction of lower molars. The patients were randomly divided into three equal groups as follows: Group (I): The surgical site received normal treatment (negative Control Group). Group (II): In this group we used gel foam inside the socket as a topical medicament after extraction. Group (III): In this group we used gel foam soaked in 0.2% chlorhexidine gel inside the socket as a topical medicament after extraction The pain levels were assessed each morning for 1 week after the