EFFICACY OF CHLORHEXIDINE GEL VS CHLORHEXIDINE RINSES IN REDUCING INCIDENCE OF DRY SOCKET IN MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR SURGERY

Objective of this study was to highlight the efficacy of chlorhexidine gel in prevention of dry socket in the post-operative period of mandibular third molar surgical extraction in comparison to chlorhexidine rinses. One hundred patients seen at the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, CMH Lahore Medical College, were included in this study. The study was conducted from July 2012 to June 2013. The trial group (n=50) was instructed to apply 0.2% chlorhexidine gel to the extraction wound during the first postoperative week, while the control group (n=50) was prescribed a 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse for the same period. Results of this study revealed a 67% reduction in postoperative dry socket in the gel group (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative dry socket in the gel group was 6% (3/50) as compared to 18% (9/50) in the mouthwash group. It was concluded that topical application of chlorhexidine gel to the extraction wound significantly