Assessment of Ozone Therapy for Management of Post-Extraction Localized Alveolar Osteitis

Alveolar osteitis (AO), commonly referred to as "dry socket," is a frequent postoperative complication following tooth extraction. It typically presents 1-3 days post-extraction with severe pain due to premature loss or breakdown of the blood clot within the extraction socket. While the exact pathogenesis remains controversial, enhanced fibrinolytic activity, bone trauma, and bacterial contamination are considered primary contributing factors. The incidence is notably higher in mandibular third molars.

Traditional management approaches-such as saline irrigation, antibiotics, and eugenol-based dressings-are often palliative and do not directly target the underlying cause. Ozone therapy, with its antimicrobial, analgesic, and wound-healing properties, has recently emerged as a potential alternative. Ozone, when applied in water or gel forms, is believed to promote clot stability, reduce pain, and enhance soft tissue regeneration.

Aim of the Study:

To assess and compare the palliative (pain-relieving) and regenerative (healing-promoting) effects of ozone therapy versus conventional treatment in patients suffering from alveolar osteitis.

Inclusion criteria

Age: 18-60 years.

Patients undergoing simple (non-surgical) extractions.

Medically healthy individuals.

Exclusion criteria

Patients already treated for AO.

Presence of systemic diseases affecting healing.

Severe infections or facial swelling.

Incomplete follow-up.

Contraindications to ozone therapy: G6PD deficiency, hyperthyroidism, malignant hypertension, recent myocardial infarction.