Alveolitis sicca dolorosa after removal of impacted mandibular third molars

The aim of the investigation was to study the occurrence of alveolitis and other side effects in women taking oral contraceptives after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Reactions to surgical removal of 156 bilateral third molars were examined in 78 patients. The material was divided into 2 groups. In 1 group, the patients took oral contraceptives of the combined type and in the other group the patients took no contraceptives. Each group was further divided into 2 subgroups: (1) removal of a molar during menstruation; and (2) removal of the contralateral molar in the same patient at the middle of the menstrual cycle. The results showed significantly more alveolitis in the group taking oral contraceptives and in women who were operated on during menstruation. These findings would suggest that oral surgery involving fertile women should be undertaken during periods free from oral contraceptives and menstruation.