Efficacy of antibiotic therapy in reducing the frequency of dry socket single post exodontia. Randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic therapy in reducing the frequency of dry socket single post exodontia. Material and methods This parallel randomized, controlled, single-blind, was developed in the dental clinic of Universidad Los Angeles de Chimbote (Trujillo, Peru), between April and August 2010. Patients who required single exodontia were randomized into 2 groups: The study group of 87 patients received antibiotic therapy (amoxicillin 500 mg) and the control group of 87 subjects received placebo with the same physical characteristics and similar doses and frequency. Both groups received paracetamol 500 mg as analgesic therapy. The presence of dry sockets was assessed for 7 days and analyzed as covariates gender, age and group of teeth. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression, determining the odds ratio and 95% of confidence interval. Results We found only four cases (2.3%) of dry sockets, 3 cases in the placebo group and 1 in the study group (OR = 0.326), however there were no significant differences (p = 0.335). Conclusion Antibiotic therapy does not reduce the frequency of dry socket.