Early Wound Healing After Chlorhexidine Rinsing in Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Optimal wound healing is a primary objective in oral surgical procedures. This study evaluated the effects of chlorhexidine + anti-discoloration system (CHX + ADS) with or without hyaluronic acid (HA) mouth rinse compared to placebo (PLCB) in promoting wound healing following third molar surgery.

Healthy subjects with indication to third molar extraction were included in this single center, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Following surgery, the patients were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, namely CHX + ADS + HA, CHX + ADS, or PLCB. Wound healing was assessed at 3, 7 and 14 days postoperatively using the Early Healing Index (EHI) ranging between Score 1 (complete wound healing in the absence of fibrin line) and 5 (incomplete wound healing with necrotic tissue).

Fifty-four patients (18 per group) were included in the analysis. At 3 and 7 days, EHI scores were lower in both CHX + ADS- groups compared to PLCB (p < 0.01 for CHX + ADS + HA, p < 0.05 for CHX + ADS). Improved healing at Days 3 and 7 was observed in the CHX + ADS + HA compared to CHX + ADS (p < 0.05). At 14 days, no differences were noted among groups.

CHX + ADS-based mouth rinses promoted early wound healing compared to placebo. The adjunct of HA improved wound closure, especially in the first postoperative week.

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05414253.