Hydrogen water versus normal saline for post-surgical irrigation: A study on healing and complication rates after third molar extraction

Oral surgery involving impacted mandibular third molars is a common procedure. However, it results in postoperative complaints such as pain, swelling, trismus and dry socket. Therefore, it is of interest to compare hydrogen water and normal saline as surgical irrigants in patients undergoing third molar removal. The study included 30 patients total who were divided into 2 groups of 15 and clinical parameters were assessed post-operative days 1, 2 and 7. Results showed all patients improved over time and that patients in the hydrogen water group had significantly greater improvements in pain, swelling and trismus, as well as a lower incidence of dry socket from postoperative day 2 onward. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of hydrogen water appear to make it a better irrigant agent than normal saline in healing and reducing postoperative complications.