The aim of this study was to compare the effect of application of 0.2%
chlorhexidine gel, a
eugenol-based
paste, together with a control group on the postoperative incidence of
alveolar osteitis in patients having third molars extracted. A total of 270 patients who had this procedure at the Dept of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College and who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study and divided into 3 groups: the first had a 0.2%
chlorhexidine-based gel applied to the alveolar socket once after extraction; the second had a
eugenol-based
paste applied to the alveolar socket once after extraction; and the third group acted as controls, with no treatment. The incidence of
alveolar osteitis was recorded for 7 days. We also recorded
postoperative pain,
inflammation,
infection, and wound healing. Nine of the control group (10%) and 2 (2%) of the
chlorhexidine group developed
alveolar osteitis on the seventh postoperative day. The overall incidence (11/270) was 4%, which is less than reported elsewhere. The distribution of
alveolar osteitis among the 3 groups was significant (p=0.002), with the
eugenol group having no cases. The
chlorhexidine group showed less incidence of
alveolar osteitis than other reported studies and also less
pain,
inflammation,
infection, and better wound healing than the control group. We conclude that
eugenol was the better of the 2 interventions.