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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018:26:e20170245.
doi: 10.1590/1678-7757-2017-0245. Epub 2018 May 7.

Chlorhexidine for prevention of alveolar osteitis: a randomised clinical trial

Diego Halabi  1 , Jose Escobar  2 , Cyntia Alvarado  1 , Nicolette Martinez  1 , Carlos Muñoz  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Chlorhexidine for prevention of alveolar osteitis: a randomised clinical trial

Diego Halabi et al. J Appl Oral Sci. 2018.

Abstract

Objective To determine the effectiveness of chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthwash (CHX) after tooth extraction for the prevention of alveolar osteitis (AO). Material and methods We conducted a double-blind randomised clinical trial stratified by risk factors. We enrolled a cohort of 822 patients who underwent dental extractions, and were considered to be at risk of developing AO (previous surgical site infection, traumatic extraction, and tobacco smoking). After extraction, patients were randomly allocated for CHX group or placebo group, matched by risk factors. The primary outcome was clinical diagnosis of AO: increasing postoperative pain for 4 d within and around the socket, and total or partial breakdown of the blood clot in the socket with or without bone exposure. Results Follow-up was completed by 744 participants (372 chlorhexidine and 372 placebo). We detected no significant differences between the two groups at baseline. After completed follow-up, risk factors were equally distributed between the two groups. Overall incidence of OA was 4.97%, in which 27 participants treated with placebo (7.26%) and 10 participants treated with CHX (2.69%) developed AO. CHX reduced the incidence of AO by 63% [Absolute Risk Reduction: 4.57 (95% CI 1.5-7.7), Number Needed to Treat: 21.88 (95% CI 13.0-69.3), Fisher's exact test: p=0.006]. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusion The use of chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthwash after tooth extraction is safe and effective in reducing the incidence of AO in high-risk patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. CONSORT flow diagram of patients included in the final analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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