Chlorhexidine in the prevention of dry socket: Effectiveness of different dosage forms and regimens

2009

Dry socket (DS) is a potential postoperative complication of dental extractions. It is clinically diagnosed by the presence of a denuded socket secondary to premature loss of the blood clot, and manifests as slight discomfort for the patient, followed by sudden worsening with intense or lancing pain.Since the underlying etiology is not clear, the best treatment is prevention. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is an antiseptic that acts upon the bacteria of the oral cavity, and is widely used in dental practice.Objectives: A metaanalysis is made of the different CHX treatment regimens used for the prevention of DS, with the proposal of a management protocol designed to maximize the efficacy of such treatm…