Effect of a topical drug combination on the early healing of extraction sockets in the vervet monkey.

An animal trial was undertaken in 9 vervet monkeys to test the effect of a medicament combination on extraction socket healing. All 4 third molar teeth were extracted and 2 of the sockets in each animal were packed with Gelfoam sponge impregnated with a medicament containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, 2 potent antifibrinolytic agents and metronidazole. The remaining 2 sockets acted as controls: one of the sockets was packed with Gelfoam sponge alone and the other allowed to heal spontaneously with no implant. The healing of these sockets was evaluated histometrically in 4-, 6- and 8-day specimens, and from the results it was concluded that sockets containing the medicament compound showed enhanced early socket healing.