Background: Absorbable gelatin sponges are able to reduce the incidence of post-extraction complications when soaked with antimicrobial agents. However, the drawbacks associated with the injudicious use of antibiotics warrant the need to explore alternatives to the existing drugs. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an absorbable gelatin sponge soaked in a combination of aloe vera and pineapple extracts in reducing post-operative pain and improving the healing rate following dental extractions.
Material and methods: Patients aged 18 to 60 years undergoing a single dental extraction of a posterior tooth were provided with either plain absorbable gelatin sponge (control group) or absorbable gelatin sponge soaked in freshly prepared solution of aloe vera gel and pineapple extracts. The pain levels were measured after one, three, seven, and fourteen days post-extraction. The socket healing status was evaluated by Landry Turnbull and Howley Index after one and two weeks post-extraction respectively.
Results: The mean pain was significantly less (p<0.05) for patients in the experimental group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days as compared to the patients in the control group. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in the healing status between the two groups at any time interval.
Conclusions: The present study found the combination of aloe vera gel and pineapple extracts to be effective in reducing post-operative pain following dental extractions. While the improvement in the healing rate failed to reach statistical significance in the present study, generally less inflammation was observed in sockets treated with absorbable gelatin sponge soaked in the a combination of aloe vera and pineapple extracts. Key words:Post-extraction pain, Socket healing, Aloe Vera, Bromelain.
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