Clinical efficacy of new α-bisabolol mouthwashes in postoperative complications of maxillofacial surgeries: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of α-bisabolol (BISA)-based mouthwashes in the oral hygiene of patients submitted to oral and maxillofacial surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted with 30 patients, undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. Three types of mouthwashes were developed, based at 0.12% chlorhexidine, 0.5% BISA, and 0.12% chlorhexidine + 0.5% BISA. The patients were evaluated in the preoperative and postoperative period, divided into three groups according to the mouthwash to be used. In the postoperative period, the oral hygiene quality of the patients was evaluated through the simplified oral hygiene index; the healing of the wounds was evaluated observing the presence of suture dehiscence and/or infection, and the pain was established using the Visual Analogue Scale. The antiseptic effect of the mouthwashes was evaluated in vitro.

RESULTS: There were no differences in the efficacy of BISA-containing mouthwashes for oral hygiene, healing, and pain, compared to chlorhexidine based at 0.12%. There were no differences in the antiseptic activity of chlorhexidine and chlorhexidine + α-bisabolol-based mouthwashes.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that BISA-based mouthwashes have clinical efficacy, in the improvement of oral hygiene and wound healing, as well as in the reduction of postoperative pain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Considering that BISA has analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, it is relevant to evaluate the efficacy of BISA-based mouthwashes in the oral hygiene of patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery, seeking a better postoperative recovery.