Ridge preservation using HTR synthetic bone following tooth extraction

Use of HTR (synthetic bone graft material) has been described to make tooth extraction a more controlled, regimented procedure. Strict adherence to surgical technique, with emphasis on appropriate suturing, is necessary to produce consistently successful results. A variation of an interrupted suture technique, the double-mattress stitch, is described in detail to achieve these results. This suturing method is replicable and applicable to most areas of the mouth. This technique is more challenging (but not impossible) to perform in areas that are difficult to access, such as in maxillary third molar regions. This stitch is essential for closing the extraction site and containing the graft material during initial healing. An ideal bone graft material should prevent postextraction osteitis, and maintain bone in the extraction area and proximal to this site. HTR satisfied these requirements.

Prevention of dry socket with clindamycin. A retrospective study

Clindamycin and other agents were compared for efficacy in preventing the entity "dry socket." A total 765 patients were treated with clindamycin, per os, and 408 patients were treated with other antibiotics or were non-treated controls. All patients underwent surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. The incidence of dry socket in untreated control and in non-clindamycin antibiotic-treated patients varied from 15 to 31 percent, while in those patients receiving clindamycin, the incidence was 0.65 percent. The results demonstrate a remarkable effectiveness of clindamycin in reducing the incidence of dry socket following surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar.

Effect of chlorhexidine rinse on the incidence of dry socket in impacted mandibular third molar extraction sites

This nonrandomized prospective study was conducted in a private practice setting to determine the effect of a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate rinse (Peridex, Proctor and Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio) on the incidence of dry socket after removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Over a 3-year period, 371 patients (total of 654 impacted mandibular third molars) received either no treatment (group 1), 2 weeks of twice daily Peridex rinse postsurgery (group 2), or one rinse presurgery (group 3). The group that used Peridex twice daily for 2 weeks after surgery (group 2) showed a significant reduction (56%) in the incidence of dry socket when compared with either the group that did not rinse (group 1) or the group that rinsed only once just before surgery (group 3). The incidence of dry socket was higher in smokers and in females who used oral contraceptives. Twice daily use of Peridex for 2 weeks also yielded significant reductions in dry socket in smokers, nonsmokers, and in females who did not use oral contraceptives. Results from this study demonstrate that the use of Peridex for 2 weeks after surgery is effective in prevention of dry socket after surgical extraction of impacted molars.

[A method for the prevention and treatment of alveolitis]

The majority of the know methods for therapy of alveolitis are aimed at liquidation of an inflammation in the well and include drug and physiotherapy combined with the required surgical treatment of a well. The aim of our research was development and validation of a method for treatment and prevention of alveolitis providing the optimal conditions for well healing, reducing the period of treatment, and preventing progressive atrophy of the alveolar process. The method consists in the well curettage, its filling with a transplant, and subsequent suturing of the mucosa. The immediate and late results of treatment were good.

Prophylactic application of an intra-alveolar socket medicament to reduce postextraction complications in HIV-seropositive patients

A prospective, controlled trial was performed to investigate the effect of a prophylactic socket medicament containing chlortetracycline, aspirin, and local anesthetics, in reducing the incidence of postextraction pain and infection in patients who are HIV-seropositive. Fifty patients were in the study; 25 received the experimental dressing and 25 had no dressing. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire rating the pain at 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery. Seven days after extraction, socket healing was scored, and sockets with delayed healing sampled for culture. Four of 25 (16%) patients who received the experimental dressing and 8 of 25 (32%) controls experienced pain during the 48 hours after extraction (p = not significant). None of the group who received the experimental dressing and 7 of 25 (28%) in the control group had delayed healing, of these 4 had alveolar osteitis and three had infected sockets (p = 0.0096). We conclude that the experimental agent is useful as a prophylactic agent to reduce delayed healing in HIV-positive patients who undergo exodontia.

Pharmacologic considerations in the management of oral surgery patients in general dental practice

Minor oral surgery is an integral part of dentistry, whether performed by the generalist or the specialist. Procedures include those within the broad discipline of general oral surgery (such as routine and surgical extractions, impactions, preprosthetics, biopsy, and implants), periodontics (such as periodontal surgery, mucogingival plastic surgery, and implants), and endodontics (periapical surgery). There is considerable overlap among generalists and surgical specialists in terms of the treatment provider. Perhaps the most important consideration with regard to appropriateness and quality of care is not who does the surgery but how it is done. The ability to perform surgery according to sound surgical principles and to properly prescribe medications in association with that surgery is a necessary requisite for quality treatment. This article reviewed how various pharmacologic agents can be administered and how they influence surgical procedures. Whether or not they are used and the manner in which they are used are predicated on the discretion and clinical judgment of the clinician on a case-by-case basis. If used appropriately, these medications can be instrumental in mitigating morbidity and increasing tolerance and overall patient satisfaction with the surgical experience.

[Dry socket. Prevention and treatment]

Although dry socket is a frequent and painful affection, its pathogenesis is still unknown. We present here a review of the literature to propose a logical preventive and therapeutic attitude. The clinical and histological aspects are also tackled.

Complications of dental surgery in persons with HIV disease

Post tooth extraction infective complications have occasionally been described in HIV-infected persons. However, there is little objective data as to the frequency of this and the need for antibiotic prophylaxis. Similarly the frequency of postextraction bleeding in patients infected with HIV, who may have thrombocytopenia, is unknown. In the present study the frequency of postextraction complications has been investigated in a group of 38 persons at stages 2 to 4 of HIV infection and 26 matched subjects from patients groups commonly at risk of HIV infection but not seropositive. During 40 clinical procedures in HIV-infected patients, 100 (range 1 to 23, median 1) teeth were extracted. Three episodes of delayed postextraction healing were recorded. During 30 procedures in the non-HIV-infected persons, 68 (range 1 to 5, median, 2) teeth were extracted, and two episodes of delayed postextraction healing were recorded. These differences were not significant. Only one HIV-infected patient had an episode of severe postextraction bleeding: this was a hemophiliac who bled despite receiving factor VIII prophylaxis. The bleeding occurred 7 days after the extraction and ceased with tranexamic acid and additional factor VIII. No control subject had severe postextraction hemorrhage. It is concluded that postextraction complications are uncommon in HIV-infected patients and that routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated.

Does metronidazole prevent alveolitis sicca dolorosa? A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study

The effect of a single preoperative dose of metronidazole in the prevention of alveolitis sicca dolorosa (ASD) after surgical removal of one impacted, non-infected mandibular third molar was investigated. A patient sample of 270 were given either 1000 mg of metronidazole or placebo at least 30 min before surgery. The preoperative recordings included gender, age, tooth to be removed, experience of surgeon, time of test medication, and duration of surgery. No difference was found between the metronidazole and placebo groups in the occurrence of ASD. The duration of surgery and the experience of the operating surgeons had no effect on the occurrence of ASD. The present study failed to demonstrate any preventive effect of a single dose of metronidazole on the development of ASD.

Evaluation of intra-alveolar chlorhexidine dressings after removal of impacted mandibular third molars

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) has been investigated for its possible benefit in the prevention of alveolar osteitis complicating third molar removal. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, 70 randomly selected healthy patients were subjected to uncomplicated mandibular third molar removal followed by CHX-gelatin sponge and saline solution-gelatin sponge intra-alveolar dressings. Each patient was followed for 6 days for postoperative discomfort and complications, and scored accordingly. The results demonstrated that patients receiving 0.2% CHX intra-alveolar dressings exhibited a significant reduction in postoperative discomfort and complications when compared with saline solution-treated control sites (p less than 0.005). Further, this phenomenon was not found to be related to patient factors including age, sex, and race, nor did any correlation exist between treated or control sites, and surgical factors including performing surgeon, surgeon's dominant hand, time of surgery, surgical site, and difficulty of the removal. These findings warrant further studies concerning the apparent clinical benefit of postextraction intra-alveolar CHX dressings for the reduction of postoperative alveolar osteitis.

A review of dry socket: a double-blind study on the effectiveness of clindamycin in reducing the incidence of dry socket

This double blind clinical study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of locally applied clindamycin in Gelfoam in reducing the incidence of dry socket formation after third molar surgery. A total of 1,021 third molar extractions were performed, and 520 mandibular third molar extractions of varied surgical difficulty were evaluated. The results indicated that this technique was effective. This study also demonstrates that the incidence of dry socket after third molar surgery is significantly higher in the mandible than the maxilla, in smokers than in non-smokers, and in females currently on oral contraceptives.

Evaluation of 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse on the prevention of alveolar osteitis

A double-blind study evaluated the ability of 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse to decrease the incidence of localized alveolar osteitis after the removal of mandibular third molar teeth. One hundred sixty extraction sites in 80 patients were evaluated. A statistically significant decrease in the incidence of dry socket was seen in patients using the chlorhexidine rinse with no significant adverse reactions. Thus a 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse is shown to be an effective means of decreasing alveolar osteitis that may follow removal of third molar teeth.

The effect of a chlorhexidine rinse on the incidence of alveolar osteitis following the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars

A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted with 139 patients (278 bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars) to determine the effect of a perioperative 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate rinse on the incidence of alveolar osteitis following surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. A statistically significant 60% reduction in the incidence of alveolar osteitis was obtained in the chlorhexidine group compared with the placebo group. In most subgroups analyzed, chlorhexidine was associated with at least a 50% reduction in alveolar osteitis compared with control groups.

A monitoring and evaluation study of third molar surgery complications at a major medical center

This monitoring and evaluation study of third molar surgery complications took place over a 6-month period of time. The goal of the study was to determine complication rates following third molar extraction. A comparison was made between the staff's and residents' post-operative complication rates and patients receiving tetracycline powder in the extraction sockets vs. no antibiotics. Complication rates were compared in males vs. females, and in four different age groups. The study helped improve patient care by showing that alveolar osteitis rates decreased when all patients received topical tetracycline. It also confirmed that the experience of the surgeon, patient age, and gender influence complication rates.

Prevention of dry socket: an overview

Dentists, exodontists, oral surgeons, and now oral and maxillofacial surgeons have been plagued with a postextraction complication, commonly known as "dry socket," since the inception of our profession. Other designations that have been attached to this malady over the years include alveolar osteitis, postextraction osteitis, osteomyelitic syndrome, alveolar sicca dolorosa, and, latterly, fibrinolytic alveolitis. Myriad attempts to eliminate this painful condition have been made, to no avail. Nonetheless, significant progress has been made in an endeavor to reduce its incidence. Perhaps it is time to take an inventory of the proven methods that will assist the practitioner in reducing the incidence of this complication in his/her practice. This article presents a review of past investigations that appear to have merit in this regard, with a summary of recommendations at the conclusion of the article.

Foreign body giant cell reaction related to placement of tetracycline-treated polylactic acid: report of 18 cases

Presented are 18 cases of foreign body giant cell reaction in mandibular third molar extraction wounds previously treated with 40 mg of dry tetracycline powder carried into the wound with a biodegradable polymer dressing. The lesions vary in intensity from local, soft tissue granulomas to osteolytic, central bone pathologies. Several reports of foreign body giant cell reaction to insoluble tetracycline preparations are cited, along with a brief review of the relationship between myospherulosis and various formulations of tetracycline powder in petroleum-based carrier vehicles. The authors suggest that the foreign body giant cell lesions reported here were initiated by micron-sized particles of insoluble tetracycline powder and were further aggravated by certain hydrophobic characteristics of the associated biodegradeable polymer. The authors caution against use of dry, powdered forms of topical antibiotics in fresh dental extraction wounds.

Effects of a chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse on the incidence of alveolar osteitis in mandibular third molar surgery

Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) continues to be a frequent sequela of third molar surgery. Chlorhexidine 0.12% used as an oral rinse has been reported to reduce the incidence of dry socket. This study compares the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine used as a preoperative rinse and immediate postextraction irrigant with 1) similarly used 0.05% cetylpyridium, preoperative chlorhexidine rinse and postextraction saline irrigation, and 2) only postextraction irrigation with normal saline in the reduction of alveolar osteitis in mandibular third molar extractions. The results indicate that chlorhexidine and cetylpyridium were no more effective in the reduction of alveolar osteitis than postextraction irrigation with normal saline.

[Nebacetin in prevention of dry alveolus development after extraction and surgical removal of wisdom teeth]

The authors carried out a clinical study of Nebacetin in the prevention of dry alveolus development after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth. In a group of patients treated locally with Nebacetin tablets dry alveolus developed in 12% of cases, while in the control group this complication was noted in 27% of cases.