Evaluation of effects of Chlorhexidine and warm saline mouthwashes in microbial growth in intraoral silk sutures

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of Chlorhexidine and warm saline mouthwashes in microbial growth in intraoral silk sutures.

MATERIALS & METHODS - A  total of 40 patients, in the age group of 18-45, who were undergoing third molar surgery  was selected for the study by simple random sampling. They were divided into two groups of 20 each. Patients in Group 1 were given Chlorhexidine mouthwash (test group) and Group 2 were instructed to use warm saline mouthwash (control group).. Patients were instructed to use the mouthwashes regularly. Patients were reviewed in the 7th postoperative day to collect the sutures to check the microbial growth and the would was checked to measure the wound gaping

RESULTS - Bacterial adherence to the suture was found to be more in Group 2 (warm saline mouthwash) compared to Group 1 (chlorhexidine). Wound healing on the 7^th post-operative day revealed that healing of the site was better in Group 1 which was measured by checking the amount of wound gaping. Future studies should be done to evaluate the effectiveness of other mouthases with more outcome measures.