An evaluation of complications following dental extractions using either sterile or clean gloves

Abstract

This randomized prospective study aims to evaluate any differences in the postoperative infection rate from dental extraction using either sterile or clean surgical gloves and to determine any predisposing factors that may complicate socket healing. A total of 609 patients were randomly assigned to two groups, with the operators wearing either sterile or clean gloves in performing forcep extractions. 551 patients, who had 811 extractions performed, returned for the postoperative assessment visit. There was no difference in the incidence of an acutely inflamed socket, acutely infected socket and dry socket and also no significant predisposing factors found between the sterile and clean glove groups. The pre-operative diagnosis of caries, periodontal disease or retained root had a higher tendency of producing an acute-inflamed socket, whereas an acutely infected socket only developed in the cases of retained root. On the pain intensity level, an acutely inflamed socket caused mild to moderate pain, on acutely infected socket caused moderate to severe pain; and a dry socket caused severe pain in the majority of cases. The study concluded that the use of sterile surgical gloves does not offer an advantage over clean gloves in minimizing socket inflammation, infection, as well as a dry socket following dental extraction.