OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of polylactic acid granules placed in third molar sockets on the incidence of alveolar osteitis.
STUDY DESIGN:A prospective randomized study with 161 patients (322 bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars).
RESULTS:The sockets in which the polylactic acid granules were placed had a significantly higher rate of alveolar osteitis (23.6%) than did the control sockets (13.58%). In all subgroups analyzed, the incidence of alveolar osteitis was higher in the experimental (polylactic acid) group.
CONCLUSION:On the basis of the findings of this study, polylactic acid granules do not reduce the incidence of alveolar osteitis and may actually contribute to a higher incidence of alveolar osteitis.