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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07466992

Comparison of Chlorhexidine and Hypochlorous Acid Mouthwash After Impacted Third Molar Surgery

Impacted mandibular third molar extraction is one of the most common procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery and is frequently associated with postoperative complications such as pain, edema, and trismus, which may negatively affect patients' quality of life. Various pharmacological and topical agents have been used to reduce these postoperative complications. Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash is widely considered the gold standard antiseptic agent due to its broad antimicrobial activity; however, its use may be associated with adverse effects such as tooth staining and taste alteration. Hypochlorous acid is an alternative antiseptic agent with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and good tissue compatibility.

The aim of this randomized clinical study was to compare the effectiveness of hypochlorous acid mouthwash and chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash in reducing postoperative complications following impacted mandibular third molar surgery. A total of 43 healthy patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars were included in the study. Postoperative outcomes including pain (VAS), edema, trismus, and wound healing were evaluated at specific follow-up intervals. The results were analyzed to determine whether hypochlorous acid could be considered a potential alternative to chlorhexidine in postoperative oral care.

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Key information

Conditions

Impacted Mandibular Third Molar

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi

Van, 65580, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18 and 40 years
  • Presence of bilateral impacted mandibular third molars with similar surgical difficulty
  • Good general health with no systemic disease
  • Ability to comply with postoperative instructions and follow-up visits

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of systemic disease
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Active infection at the surgical site
  • History of allergy to study medications
  • Use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs within two weeks before surgery
  • Temporomandibular joint disorders causing limited mouth opening

Treatment and study plan

Hypochlorous Acid

Drug

Hypochlorous acid mouthwash is an antimicrobial oral rinse with broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is used as a postoperative antiseptic agent to reduce microbial load, inflammation, and the risk of infection following oral surgical procedures.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthwash

Drug

Patients used chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash starting 24 hours after surgery, three times daily.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th days

    n the pain assessment, the patients were given a VAS form at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours and on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th days and the pain felt by the patient was marked on this scale. This form consists of numbers between 0 and 10. 0 represents 'no pain at all' and 10 represents 'worst possible pain'.

  2. Trismus

    Time frame: preop, 2th and 7th days

    In all patients participating in the study, the maximum interincisal distance for trismus was measured and recorded by the same physician before the operation and on the 2nd and 7th days after the operation.

  3. Edema

    Time frame: preop, 2th and 7th days

    For edema, some anatomical points on the face were taken as reference points and the distance between these points was measured with a tape measure and recorded. The angulus point was determined as the center point and the distances between angulus-tragus, angulus-lateral corner of the eye, angulus-nasal base, angulus-labial commissure and angulus-pogonion point were measured.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Yuzuncu Yil University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Postoperative Effects of Hypochlorous Acid Versus Chlorhexidine Mouthwash Following Impacted Third Molar Extraction: A Randomized Split-Mouth Study

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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