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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07364253

'Propolis Versus Chlorhexidine Gluconate on Wound Healing After Third Molar Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial'

The goal of this study is to examine the effects of propolis gargle on wound healing following third molar surgery and to compare it with chlorhexidine gluconate. The main question it aims to answer is:

Is propolis-containing gargle safe and effective alternative to chlorhexidine gluconate following impacted third molar surgery? Does propolis demonstrate comparable outcomes in pain control and mouth opening ?

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Key information

Conditions

Third Molar Surgery Post Operative Analgesia

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ataturk University Faculty of Dentistry

Erzurum, Yakutiye, 25240, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This prospective, randomized clinical study included 52 healthy patients (ASA I) who underwent impacted mandibular third molar surgery. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: one group used 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate gargle, while the other used a 3% propolis-containing gargle. Gargles were applied twice daily for one minute from postoperative day 2 to day 7. Pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), while edema, maximum mouth opening, wound healing, and postoperative complications were assessed preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 and 7. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Clinical diagnosis of the impacted teeth were classified as Class II level B mesioangular position
  • Patients from a socioeconomic level who can actively use postoperative gargles

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with third molars exhibiting acute infection
  • smokers
  • pregnant women

Treatment and study plan

Third molar Surgery with propolis gargle

Procedure

The patients were anesthetized with inferior alveolar, lingual, and buccal nerve blocks using 4 ml of articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (Ultracaine D-S Fort, Aventis). The tooth could be observed by elevating a full-thickness triangular mucoperiosteal flap. The tooth was extracted following an osteotomy using a bur. The tooth was sectioned and extracted, if required. Curettage was conducted in the presence of a residual dental follicle. The wound was sutured with silk thread. All procedures were conducted by the same physician. Postoperatively, antibiotics (amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid, 2 g daily for 5 days) and analgesics (paracetamol 1 g, up to 4 times daily for 3 days) were recommended. The group was administered a 3% propolis gargle (formulated in an ethanol solution, twice daily for 1 minute, prepared in the Departments of Pharmacology.

Third molar surgery with chlorhexidine gluconate

Procedure

The patients were anesthetized with inferior alveolar, lingual, and buccal nerve blocks using 4 ml of articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (Ultracaine D-S Fort, Aventis). The tooth could be observed by elevating a full-thickness triangular mucoperiosteal flap. The tooth was extracted following an osteotomy using a bur. The tooth was sectioned and extracted, if required. Curettage was conducted in the presence of a residual dental follicle. The wound was sutured with silk thread. All procedures were conducted by the same physician. Postoperatively, antibiotics (amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid, 2 g daily for 5 days) and analgesics (paracetamol 1 g, up to 4 times daily for 3 days) were recommended. The group was administered chlorhexidine gluconate (0.12%) gargle, twice daily for 1 minute.

Primary outcomes

  1. Edema

    Time frame: Before surgery to after surgery seventh day

    Edema (assessed by measuring the distances between the tragus and lip corner, as well as the outer corner of the eye and mandibular corner, with measurements taken twice using a paper ruler and averaged), It was measured before surgery, after surgery second and seventh days.

  2. Pain after surgery

    Time frame: After surgery, post- op second and seventh day

    Patient records were collected on the second and seventh days post-operation. The evaluated parameters included pain (measured using the VAS scale). Visual analog scale is used to measure pain intensity. It consists of a straight line usually 10 cm. 0: no pain, 10: worst pain imaginable. The patient marks the point that best represents their pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Maximum mouth opening

    Time frame: Before surgery to post surgery seventh day

    Maximum mouth opening (the distance between the lower and upper incisors) were measured before surgery and after surgery second and seventh day.

  2. Wound aperture

    Time frame: From surgery to seventh day after surgery

    Wound aperture after surgery was examined for two groups

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ataturk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Clinical Evaluation Of The Effects Of Propolis Gargle On Wound Healing After Impacted Third Molar Surgery

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2022
First posted
Jan 23, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 2, 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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