Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Extraction wounds in oral cavity are usually self-healing. But, this wound healing is hindered because of factors such as saliva, blood, plaque, food debris which causes post-operative infection and pain due to microbial colonization. Placement of periodontal dressings such as zinc oxide eugenol or methyl methacrylate polymer would provide protection up to some extent despite leaving the site without any dressing, but it has disadvantage of difficulty in removing. Hence, a dressing that would satisfy all the above requirements along with being selfresorbable is the need of the hour. Thus, the need for this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an intraoral dressing material, Reso-Pac, in improving post-operative comfort for patients and its effect on wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifty patients who required removal of impacted mandibular third molars were recruited, and were randomized into two groups (25 in each). A standardized surgical technique was used for removal of the impacted teeth, and wounds were closed with sutures. Post-operatively, the study group was given Reso-Pac dressing, while the control group was not. Post-operative pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Wound healing was assessed with the help of Modified Wound Landry's scale. Data were analysed using independent sample t-test for VAS scores and Chi-square test was applied to associate the wound healing with the groups, repeated measures ANOVA was applied to compare the VAS scores within the group at different time intervals with post hoc, Bonferroni for comparison between two time intervals. RESULTS: The results in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Reso-Pac is a new dressing material of choice, which can be preferred over all other dressing materials for a better patient comfort and wound healing.