The effect of polylactic acid granules on the incidence of alveolar osteitis after mandibular third molar surgery. A prospective randomized study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of polylactic acid granules placed in third molar sockets on the incidence of alveolar osteitis.

Study design: A prospective randomized study with 161 patients (322 bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars).

Results: The sockets in which the polylactic acid granules were placed had a significantly higher rate of alveolar osteitis (23.6%) than did the control sockets (13.58%). In all subgroups analyzed, the incidence of alveolar osteitis was higher in the experimental (polylactic acid) group.

Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of this study, polylactic acid granules do not reduce the incidence of alveolar osteitis and may actually contribute to a higher incidence of alveolar osteitis.