Aetiology, Prevention and Management of Alveolar Osteitis-A Scoping Review

Possible roles of short-chain fatty acids produced by oral bacteria in the development of alveolar osteitis

PURPOSE

Alveolar osteitis (dry sockets) is a painful condition characterized by a limited immune response. It is typically caused by the removal of blood clots from extracted tooth sockets, which leads to the fermentation of trapped food remnants by oral bacteria in the cavities, producing high concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This study examined the effects of SCFAs on immunity and bone metabolism.

METHODS

Mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells were treated with oral bacteria supernatants or SCFA mixtures, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were determined by western blot. The same cells were treated with SCFA mixtures in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), and osteoclast-like cells were counted. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with SCFA mixtures and stained with alizarin red S.

RESULTS

Raw264.7 cells treated with oral bacterial culture supernatants of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced iNOS production, likely due to SCFA content. SCFA mixtures mimicking these supernatants inhibited the number of RANKL-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells and MC3T3-E1 cell mineralization.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that SCFAs produced by P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum may reduce the inflammatory response and mildly induce mineralization of the alveolar walls. These results may contribute to the understanding of alveolar osteitis.

Use of platelet- and leukocyte-rich fibrin (L-PRF) as a healing agent in the postoperative period of third molar removal surgeries: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of L-PRF as a healing agent in the postoperative period of third molar extraction surgeries, as well as to investigate secondary effects, such as the reduction of pain, edema and other discomforts after the surgical intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methodology adopted consisted of carrying out a systematic review of the literature, following the model outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The inclusion criteria were previously established according to a systematic review protocol approved by the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under number CRD42023484679. In order to carry out a comprehensive search, a search in five databases was carried out, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Embase.

RESULTS

The search resulted in the selection of randomized controlled trials that conformed to the established criteria. Two authors independently screened the records and extracted the data. The assessment of bias was conducted according to the guidelines recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration, using version 2 of the Cochrane tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials (RoB 2).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that L-PRF stands out by providing direct benefits to healing, vascularization and tissue regeneration.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

L-PRF plays an important role in reducing postoperative pain, edema, the incidence of alveolar osteitis and infections after third molar removal surgery, compared to patients who did not undergo the use of L-PRF.

Er:YAG Laser Therapy on Alveolar Osteitis After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Background: Alveolar osteitis (AO) or "dry socket" affects the quality of life of patients, and there is a high clinical demand for its effective treatment. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Er:YAG laser therapy (ErLT) on AO after mandibular third molar surgery. Methods: Eighty-three patients were randomly divided into Er (n = 43) and control groups (n = 40). In the Er group, the Er:YAG laser (2940 nm; AT Fidelis Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) was used to irradiate the AO site directly in micro short-pulsed mode (pulse duration 0.1 ms, pulse energy 100 mJ, frequency 40 Hz, water 4, and air 2) until all debris and necrotic material had been removed, exposing fresh bone and soft tissue surfaces with blood exudation. The control group received mechanical therapy until the treated lesions resembled those in the Er group. Pain assessment was performed at baseline and on days 1-7 post-intervention using the visual analog scale (VAS). Wound healing was assessed using the wound healing index (WHI). The operating times of the two therapies were also recorded. Results: Group Er had lower VAS scores than the control group on days 1-3 (p = 0.00). There was no significant difference between the two groups on days 4-7 (p = 0.15). The WHI scores were better in the Er group than those in the control group (t = 2.65, p = 0.01), especially in terms of redness (t = 2.70, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the operating time between the two groups (t = 0.76, p = 0.45). Conclusions: Compared with mechanical therapy, ErLT for AO provides rapid pain relief and improved wound healing.

Prevalence of fibrinolytic alveolitis following extraction of impacted mandibular third molars: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Our research aims to assess the prevalence of alveolar osteitis (AO) following impacted mandibular third molar extractions and investigate the impact of potential moderating factors on this occurrence. Two independent reviewers conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search across Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The pooled prevalence, accompanied by 95 % confidence intervals (CI), was calculated. Quality assessments, outlier and influential analyses were performed. Subgroup and meta-regression analysis were conducted in order the effect of categorical and continuous variables on the estimated prevalence to be investigated. Our meta-analysis included twenty-eight eligible studies, encompassing a total of 41,859 impacted mandibular third molar extractions. The overall prevalence of dry socket (DS) following impacted mandibular third molar extractions was estimated at 6.7 % (95 % CI 4.6-9.1 %), indicating considerable heterogeneity among the studies. No study was identified as critically influential, and meta-regression analysis did not pinpoint any potential sources of heterogeneity. This study highlights the imperative for future well-constructed prospective and retrospective investigations to deepen our understanding of the etiological nuances and refine management approaches for this prevalent postoperative complication.

Decamethoxin and chlorhexidine bigluconate effect on the adhesive and biofilm-forming properties of Streptococcus mitis

The aim of the study

Was to investigate the effect of antiseptics on the adhesive and biofilm-forming properties of clinical S.mitis isolates isolated from the oral cavity of patients with an infectious and inflammatory post-extraction complication.

Materials and methods

Twenty four clinical isolates of S.mitis isolated from patients were studied. The studied antiseptics included 0.02% aqueous solution of decamethoxin and 0.05% solution of chlorhexidine bigluconate. Adhesion of clinical isolates under the action of decamethoxin and chlorhexidine bigluconate was determined by the method of V.I. Brillis. The biofilm-forming properties of clinical isolates were studied using the "microtiter plate test" according to G.D. Christensen.

Results

The studied clinical isolates of S.mitis are classified as highly adherent microorganisms. Action of decamethoxin on clinical isolates decreases the adhesion index of the studied isolates in comparison with the adhesion index of the control culture. Action of chlorhexidine bigluconate on S.mitis isolates increases of adhession of the studied clinical isolates in comparison with the control. After the effect of decamethoxin, the optical density of clinical isolates decreased considering the optical density results of the control. The clinical isolates left an average film-forming capacity even after chlorhexidine bigluconate action.

Conclusions

Clinical isolates of S.mitis are highly adherent microorganisms. The antiseptic decamethoxin decreases the adhesion index of these bacteria, while chlorhexidine bigluconate increases the adhesion index of clinical S.mitis isolates. Clinical S. mitis isolates have an average biofilm formation capacity index. The antiseptic decamethoxin inhibits the biofilm formation capacity of S.mitis from medium to low.

Efficacy of Chlorhexidine after Oral Surgery Procedures on Wound Healing: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Our objective was to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, available evidence on the efficacy of chlorhexidine (CHX) when applied after oral surgery on wound healing and related clinical parameters. MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for studies published before January 2023. The quality of the methodology used in primary-level studies was assessed using the RoB2 tool; meta-analyses were performed jointly with heterogeneity and small-study effect analyses. Thirty-three studies and 4766 cases were included. The results point out that the application of CHX was significantly more effective, compared to controls where CHX was not employed, providing better wound healing after oral surgery (RR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.55-0.80, p < 0.001). Stratified meta-analyses confirmed the higher efficacy of 0.20% CHX gel vs. other vehicles and concentrations (p < 0.001, respectively). Likewise, the addition of chitosan to CHX significantly increased the efficacy of surgical wound healing (p < 0.001). The use of CHX has also been significantly beneficial in the prevention of alveolar osteitis after any type of dental extraction (RR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.39-0.53, p < 0.001) and has also been effective when applied as a gel for a reduction in pain after the surgical extraction of third molars (MD = -0.97, 95% CI = -1.26 to -0.68, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate on the basis of evidence that the application of CHX exerts a beneficial effect on wound healing after oral surgical procedures, significantly decreasing the patient's risk of developing surgical complications and/or poor wound healing. This benefit was greater when CHX was used at 0.20% in gel form with the addition of chitosan.

Investigation of the clinical efficacy of CGF and ozone in the management of alveolar osteitis: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the efficacy of concentrated growth factors (CGF) and ozone in the treatment of alveolar osteitis (AO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients admitted for the treatment of AO and eligible for the study were included and divided into control, ozone, and CGF + ozone groups. For the treatment of AO alveogyl, ozone, and CGF + ozone were applied to control, ozone, and CGF + ozone groups, respectively, and repeated on 3rd day. Demographic data and oral hygiene were recorded at the initial visit. Pain with visual analog scale (VAS) and analgesic consumption were evaluated at the 6th and 24th h, and on 2nd-7th days. Granulation tissue health and inflammation severity were evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days. Quality of life was evaluated with the postoperative symptom severity scale (Posse) on the 7th day.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients (43 females/17 males; mean age 42.7 ± 13.76 years), 20 patients per group were included. Among the groups, pain scores on the 7th day (p = 0.042), granulation tissue health on the 3rd (p = 0.003) and 7th (p = 0.015) days showed a significant difference while analgesic consumption, Posse scores, and inflammation severity showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Between genders analgesic consumption at 6 h (p = 0.027), 24 h (p = 0.033), and on the 2nd day (p = 0.034) and inflammation severity on the 7th day (p = 0.012) showed significant differences while Posse scores and granulation tissue health showed no significant differences (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that regenerative treatment which modulates angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration by stimulating stem cells, growth factors, and cytokines with CGF + ozone are more effective than conventional treatment regarding AO.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Usage of CGF and ozone together provides faster and more satisfactory management of AO.

Photobiomodulation for Managing "Dry Socket": A Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

There are no studies that have evaluated the effect of Alveogyl with and without adjunct photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in reducing self-rated post-operative pain (SPP) in patients with alveolar osteitis (AO; dry socket). The aim of the present randomised controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of Alveogyl with and without PBMT for the management of SPP in patients with AO.

METHODS

Adult nonsmokers with diagnosed AO were included. Patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. In Group 1, patients underwent mechanical curettage (MC) with copious normal saline irrigation. In Group 2, patients underwent MC + Alveogyl dressings in extraction sites which were changed every 48 hours until cessation of pain. In Group 3, patients underwent MC + Alveogyl followed by PBMT using a 660-nm indium-gallium-aluminum-phosphide diode laser. In Group 4, patients were treated solely with PBMT. The visual analogue scale was used up to 3 postoperative days to assess SPP up to 3 days at 6- (T0) and 12-hour (T1) intervals. Statistical analyses were performed using the analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc adjustment tests. Correlation between SPP scores and age, sex, and eruption status of teeth was assessed using logistic regression models. P values <.01 were nominated as being statistically significant.

RESULTS

In all, 14, 13, 14, and 14 individuals with AO were included in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. All patients had undergone extraction of mandibular third molars. At baseline and on day 1, there was no difference in SPP in all groups. On days 2 and 3, mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at T1 (P < .01) and T2 (P < .01) intervals were significantly high in Group 2 compared with Group 3. On days 2 and 3, mean VAS scores at T1 (P < .01) and T2 (P < .01) intervals were significantly high in Group 4 compared with Group 3. There was no difference in SPP in groups 3 and 4 on day 3 at T0 and T1 intervals.

CONCLUSIONS

PBMT following MC and Alveogyl dressing is more efficient in reducing SPP compared with MC with or without Alveogyl dressing in patients with AO.

Smoking as a Risk Factor for Dry Socket: A Systematic Review

Dry socket is one of the postoperative complications of tooth extraction. It is the partial or total loss of the post-extraction blood clot, resulting in severe pain that usually starts one to five days postoperatively, with clinical evidence of exposed alveolar bone, necrotic debris, halitosis, and tenderness on examination. The purpose of our systematic review was to answer the question "Is there a relationship between smoking and dry socket?". After meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eleven studies were included in this systematic review (according to the PRISMA statement guidelines). Based on a meta-analysis, tobacco smokers had a more than three-fold increase in the odds of dry socket after tooth extraction. Overall, the combined incidence of dry socket in smokers was found to be about 13.2% and in non-smokers about 3.8%. Despite the heterogeneity of the included studies (different types of teeth extracted, different age groups), cigarette smoking was related to an increased risk of dry socket after tooth extraction.

A Comparison of Pre-Emptive Co-Amoxiclav, Postoperative Amoxicillin, and Metronidazole for Prevention of Postoperative Complications in Dentoalveolar Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of different oral antibiotics for prevention of dry socket and infection in adults following the surgical extraction of teeth under LA. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted from 10 September 2020 until 10 May 2021. Forty-six patients were randomly allocated to three groups. Sixteen patients were in the postoperative co-amoxiclav (625 mg) group, fifteen in the preoperative co-amoxiclav (625 mg) plus postoperative metronidazole (500 mg) group and fifteen in the preoperative co-amoxiclav (625 mg) plus postoperative amoxicillin (500 mg) group. Evaluation of the postoperative signs of alveolar osteitis and infection was made by a dental surgeon five days postoperatively. Evaluation of the post-surgical extraction pain was made by patients immediately and five days postoperatively on standard 100 mm visual analogue scales (VAS). Furthermore, difficulty of surgery was recorded for all patients immediately postoperatively using (VAS). Results: all antibiotics used in this study were effective. Only 15% of patients had painful alveolar osteitis and 2% had oral infections. There was no significant decrease in the number of patients with severe alveolar osteitis or infection for co-amoxiclav plus metronidazole and co-amoxiclav plus amoxicillin groups compared to co-amoxiclav group at 5 days post-operation (p-values: 0.715, 0.819 & 0.309). Clinically, metronidazole was more effective in protecting the extracted tooth socket from alveolar osteitis compared to co-amoxiclav and amoxicillin. Moreover, there were significant decreases in mean pain scores at 5 days post-operation compared with the levels of pain immediately after surgery (p-value: 0.001). Conclusions: Administration of a single preoperative dose of co-amoxiclav with a full postoperative dose of amoxicillin or metronidazole was more effective than conventional treatment with postoperative co-amoxilcalv in reducing the incidence of both alveolar osteitis and infection after surgical extractions. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Interestingly, patients in metronidazole group had the lowest incidence of dry socket.