ANALYSIS OF EFFICACY OF SINGLE DOSE CHLORHEXIDINE GEL APPLICATION IN MOLARS EXTRACTION

Introduction: Alveolar osteitis (AO) is a poorly understood form of post-operative pain located in or around the area of extracted tooth, which occurs due to a partial or total loss of a blood clot, between the first and third postoperative days. Aims and objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyze the efficacy of single dose chlorhexidine gel application in molars extraction. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore during 2018 with the permission of ethical committee of hospital. The data was collected from 100 patients of both genders. Patients aged between 18-65 years visiting the outpatient department for dental extraction of 1st, 2nd and 3rd molar teeth in maxilla or mandible were included in this study. The sample was randomized using block randomization into experimental (CHX) and control groups. Results: The data were collected from 100 patients of both genders. The mean age of the patients was 36.65 years SD ±11yrs. 1st molars were the most common teeth to be extracted with combine incidence of left and right side teeth making 37% of the total teeth extracted. No cases of hypersensitivity to intra-socket placement of CHX gel were reported in this study. Chi square test was applied at 0.05 level of significance of surgical flap with the incidence of alveolar osteitis. The group in which envelope flap with releasing incision was performed had highest incidence of alveolar osteitis (67.74%). Conclusion: It is concluded that CHX gel application in the extraction socket of mandibular 3rd molar has reduced the incidence of AO