Comparison of alvogyl, SaliCept patch, and low-level laser therapy in the management of alveolar osteitis

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present randomized prospective clinical trial was to compare the effects of alvogyl, the SaliCept patch, and low-level laser therapy in the management of alveolar osteitis.

Patients and methods: The study population included 104 patients who had been referred to our clinic with a complaint of alveolar osteitis. The patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: group 1, curettage and irrigation alone; group 2, curettage and irrigation followed by alvogyl applied directly to the socket; group 3, curettage and irrigation followed by a SaliCept patch applied directly to the socket; and group 4, curettage and irrigation followed by continuous-mode diode laser irradiation (808 nm, 100 mW, 60 seconds, 7.64 J/cm(2)). The treatment procedures were repeated after 3 days. The clinical signs and symptoms for each patient were recorded at diagnosis, at 3 days after the diagnosis, and at 7 days after the diagnosis. In addition, the pain intensity levels for each patient were recorded at diagnosis and daily for 7 days after the initial treatment.

Results: No statistically significant differences in the management of alveolar osteitis were observed between groups 2 and 3. However, the management of alveolar osteitis was significantly better in group 4 than in the other 3 groups.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that acemannan in the form of the SaliCept patch is an acceptable alternative to alvogyl as a dressing for the management of alveolar osteitis. However, low-level laser therapy treatment at 7.64 J/cm(2) (0.1 W × 60 seconds = 6 J) performed superiorly to both SaliCept and alvogyl in managing alveolar osteitis in our study population.