Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Guruprasad GM.
GuruprasadGM@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Background:Alveolar osteitis also known as Dry socket  is the most frequent and unpleasant condition that occurs after removal of permanent tooth. Chlorhexidine solution has been found to have a higher antimicrobial action other than antiseptics that are used in oral cavity for different clinical scenarios. The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effect of 1% chlorhexidine gel on the incidence of dry socket. Materials and methods: The present prospective study was conducted in the department of  oral and maxillofacial surgery for a period of 1 year. Patients with acute infection or acute pericoronitis requiring antibiotics were excluded from the study. Same operating surgeon performed all the procedures and was also the one who did the follow ups. Occurrence of dry socket was checked after 48 hours, Day5 and Day7. All the data thus obtained was arranged in a tabulated form and analyzed using SPSS software. Unpaired t test was used for analysis and probability value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant.  Results: The present study enrolled 100 subjects with the mean age of 26.45+/-3.54 years. A total of 19 patients developed dry socket. On applying unpaired t test, there was a significant difference in the incidence of dry socket amongst both the group. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the incidence of dry socket on the study side compared to the control side indicating that chlorhexidine can be used as an adjuvant to antibiotics for reducing the pain and incidence of alveolar osteitis.

Keywords: Chlorhexidine, dry socket, antibiotics, antiseptics.