THE EFFECT OF A CHLORHEXIDINE RINSE ON THE INCIDENCE OF ALVEOLAR OSTEITIS FOLLOWING THE SURGICAL REMOVAL OF IMPACTED MANDIBULAR 3RD MOLARS

A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted with 139 patients (278 bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars) to determine the effect of a perioperative 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate rinse on the incidence of alveolar osteitis following surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. A statistically significant 60% reduction in the incidence of alveolar osteitis was obtained in the chlorhexidine group compared with the placebo group. In most subgroups analyzed, chlorhexidine was associated with at least a 50% reduction in alveolar osteitis compared with control groups. © 1991.