Objectives: Third molar extractions may affect the periodontal health of the adjacent second molars as well as the patient’s comfort. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of type-1 collagen cone (CC) on periodontal health and postoperative sequelae following extraction of third molars with secondary healing. Method and materials: This was a randomized, controlled, split-mouth clinical trial. Sixty mandibular third molars (30 patients) were subdivided according to side. A collagen cone was randomly inserted into one side and the other side was the control. Pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Trismus and facial swelling were determined on postoperative days 2, 7, and 30. The alveolar osteitis (AO) incidence was recorded on days 2 and 7. The Plaque Index, Gingival Index, clinical attachment level, and pocket probing depth of the second molars were evaluated at postoperative months 1, 3, and 6.
Results: No significant differences were found between groups regarding postoperative pain, trismus, facial swelling, or the incidence of AO. However, AO developed in 10% of control side cases, while no sign of AO was observed on the experimental side. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and clinical attachment level were comparable in both groups. Pocket probing depths for the distobuccal surface of the second molar was significantly higher on the control side at 6 months (P = .017).
Conclusion: Insertion of a type-1 collagen cone into an extraction socket did not show a significant clinical improvement in extraction socket healing and postoperative sequelae after the third molar extraction.
Keywords: alveolar osteitis, collagen cone, periodontal health, pocket depth, postoperative sequelae, third molar surgery