Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of hyaluronic acid gel on postoperative, dry socket, pain, trismus and edema after extraction of impacted lower third molars.
Subjects and methods: Twenty impacted lower third molar teeth were extracted in ten patients under local anesthesia and under aseptic precautions. Split mouth design was followed. According to random allocation, 0.8% HA gel placed into the extraction socket in one side (group 1), while in the other side (group 2), only gauze pack was placed. Dry socket, pain, trismus and edema were recorded after 24 hours, 72 h, one week and two weeks postsurgery.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of dry socket between both groups. The pain score of patients in group 1 was significantly lower than patients in group 2 in all follow up intervals. Trismus was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 in all intervals. The patients in group 1 have significantly less edema than patients in group 2 in all follow up intervals.
Conclusion: Hyaluronic acid 0.8% gel application after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars has no significant effect on the incidence of dry socket, but it has a positive effect on postoperative pain, trismus and swelling.