Efficacy of GELATAMP in reduction of post operative complication and soft tissue healing after impacted Mandibular 3rd molar surgery

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of GELATAMP (colloidal silver impregnated with gelfoam) in reduction of post operative complications and soft tissue healing after impacted Mandibular 3rd Molar surgeries. Materials and Methods: The Study was performed in a series of 15 patients (30 impactions) aged between 25 – 48 years with bilateral mandibular 3rd molar impactions requiring surgical removal attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. After the surgical removal of the teeth, these sites were augmented with GELATAMP and assessment was done to evaluate the soft tissue healing and reduction of postoperative complications like pain, swelling on 1st, 3rd and 7th post operative days. The results were recorded based on Soft Tissue Healing Index, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Swelling Assessment by Tape Measurement. The ‘t’ test was used to test the significance between control and trial group. The ‘p’ value < 0.05 was taken to denote significant difference. Results: Soft tissue healing assessment and pain score showed high statistical significance (p < 0.005) on GELATAMP side compare to control side on 1st, 3rd, and 7th postoperative day. Regarding swelling assessment, There was no statistical significant difference between 2 groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that, surgically extracted mandibular 3rd molar socket augmented with GELATAMP resulted in effective soft tissue healing, and reduced postoperative complications compared to control group. Hence GELATAMP could be augmented on a routine basis on Mandibular 3rd molar extracted sockets.