EFFECT OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON THE INCIDENCE OF ALVEOLAR OSTEITIS IN FEMALES.

Background:- Dry socket or localized alveolar osteitis (AO) is the most commonly encountered complications following extraction of teeth by general dentists and specialists, with associated pain due to inflammatory changes in the exposed socket wall following breakdown of blood clot in extraction socket. Aim of the study:- To evaluate the incidence of alveolar osteitis among female patients attending Qassim university dental clinics consuming oral contraceptives. Patients and method:-A total of 40 healthy women aged 20 to 40 years, all of whom underwent simple extractions of various teeth. 20 of the women were regular users of oral contraceptives. All patients were evaluated for postoperative pain. Results:-The consumer group aged between 20-30 years 7 (43.8%) and 13 (54.2%) of the consumers aged 31-40. Non-consumer group aged 20-30 years 9 (56.2%) and 11 (45.8%) aged 31-40. The results showed that (85.0%) of the consumers have encountered AO , while (25.0%) only of the non consumers have had AO. On the other hand (15.0%) and (75.0%) haven’t encountered any signs of AO , respectively highly significant difference between the groups (p<0.001). Conclusion:-The results of this study support the view that oral contraceptive use favours the appearance of dry socket and postoperative pain after extraction.