A double-blind study on the effectiveness of tetracycline in reducing the incidence of fibrinolytic alveolitis

Abstract

This study presents the results of a double-blind study evaluating the effectiveness of topical tetracycline used as a suspension in a square of gelatin sponge and placed in the sockets of extracted mandibular third molars for the prevention of dry socket. An assessment of the relationship between the amount of bone relief (trauma) incidental to the surgery and the occurrence of dry socket also is made. Dry socket occurred in 20.4% of the placebo-treated sockets, whereas the incidence in the tetracycline-treated sockets was 3.9%. No correlation was observed between the amount of bone relief attendant to the surgery and the incidence of dry socket. It is concluded that tetracycline is an effective prophylaxis for fibrinolytic alveolitis.