Comparison of Two Irrigation Solutions in the Surgical Removal of the Mandibular Third Molars- A Randomized Trial

Aim: To evaluate the effect of postoperative irrigation with chlorhexidine saline irrigation and metronidazole saline irrigation on non-inflammatory complications after the extraction of lower third molar under local anesthesia.

Materials and Methods: In this study a total of 120 patients with age range 18-80 years who had impacted tooth which required surgical removal were included. The patients were separated into two groups using Block Randomization to avoid sampling bias. Group A and Group B had 60 patients each. Group A patients were irrigated with 1% Chlorhexidine Saline and Group B patients were irrigated with 1% Metronidazole Saline during the surgical removal of their mandibular third molars. The patients were measured for the pain, swelling and checked for dry socket after 7 days of procedure.

Results: The mean age of the patient was 28.08 + SEM years. Out of three parameters (Pain, Swelling, Dry Socket) assessed, only alveolar osteitis showed a statistical significant difference between 1% Metronidazole and 1% Chlorhexidine with p value 0.041(>0.05). Trismus and pain did not differ significantly (p>0.05) in the two groups with p-values of 0.431 for trismus and 0.750 for pain.

Conclusion: Metronidazole had better efficacy in alveolar osteitis, while in the other parameters viz, pain and mouth opening there was no difference in the two treatments.