Predisposing and operative factors: effect on the incidence of localized osteitis in mandibular third-molar surgery.

Five hundred and four bilateral mandibular third-molar extraction sites were examined postoperatively for localized osteitis. All sites received a mechanical lavage of either 350 ml, or 175 ml. of sterile normal saline solution. No significant differences were observed relative to the effect of lavage volume on the incidence of iocalized osteitis. A preoperative antimicrobial mouthrinse of chloramine-T (sodium-p-toluene sulfonchloramide) was also used by one half of the patients. Although only slight differences were noted in healing with the different lavage volumes of the chloramine-T, certain predisposing factors contributed significant differences.