Effectiveness of chlorhexidine gel on healing and pain control after third molar extraction

The role of 0.2% chlorhexidine in prevention of dry socket followed bysyrgical removal of third molars has been challenged by pervious research. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of this gel on healing and pain after dental extraction at the OMFS Department of Islamic Azad University, school of dentistry. This experimental, double blinded study on 123 patients randomly into three groups which are as follows: First group: gel foam with 0.2% chlorhexidine gel placed into the alveolar socket. Second group: gel foam with placebo placed into the alveolar socket. Third group: no material placed into the alveolar socket. Pain level in the three groups after 24 hours and on days three was evaluated using a VAS scale and Healing process on the 3rd and seventh day was investigated with a healing scale. The incidence of dry socket was also evaluated using the diagnostic criteria specified by BLUM. Data were analyzed with Krusal Wallis, Mann-Whitney - U tests. Healing rate on the third and seventh days in the first group had significant statistical differences compared to the second and third groups(P<0.00). Pain rates on the first day and third day in the first group also had significant statistical difference compared to the second and third groups(P<0.00). Dry Socket was not reported in the first group. In second group and third group two cases and seven cases of dry socket were found respectively. Results from this study show that the use of 0.2% chlorhexidine gel after third molar extraction is effective in healing process, pain reduction and prevention of dry socket.