Evaluation of effects of two different antibacterial mouthrinses on bacteremia in impacted third molar surgery.

Bacteremia is defined as the presence of bacteria in blood circulation. Surgical procedures have potential to induce serious infections such as bacterial endocarditis, particularly in high risk patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of 0.2% chlorhexidine and 10% povidone iodine containing mouthrinses on bacteremia following impacted third molar surgery. To be eligable for this study, patients had to be in good general health condition, not to have any heart disease that may cause bacterial endocarditis, not to use antibiotics during last 30 days, to have good oral hygine, not to use antiseptic mouthrinse regularly. Thirty patients were enrolled for this study and divided into 3 groups, each comprising 10 patients. Age, gender, plaque accumulation (Sillness and Löe index), gingival bleeding (gingival bleeding index), level of insertion (Pell and Gregory classification) and duration of the operation were recorded. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from antecubital vein for 3 times; just before operation and 1 and 15 minutes after the completion of tooth removal. Each blood sample was discarded into aerobic and anaerobic culture bottles and processed for microbiological examination. As a result, bacteremia was detected 40% in chlorhexidine group, 40% in povidone iodine group and 60% in control group (p>0.05). Isolated bacteria were 57.6% anaerobs and dominantly 88.4% streptococcus group. Incidence of bacteremia was reduced with chlorhexidine and povidone iodine mouthrinses in third molar surgery, although the difference was not statistically significant. We are of the opinion that, the results of this study should be improved with further studies conducted with wider patient population and with different antiseptic mouthrinses.