The Role of Gelatin Sponge in Third Molar Surgery
Third molar surgery (wisdom tooth extraction) is a common dental procedure to remove impacted or problematic third molars.
Reasons for extraction:1-2
- Impaction: Lack of space can prevent proper eruption, causing pain, infection, or damage to nearby teeth.
- Infection and Disease: Conditions like pericoronitis or dental caries may require removal.
- Preventive Measures: Sometimes extracted prophylactically to avoid future complications, especially in younger patients.
What is Surgi-ORC®?
Surgi-ORC® is a natural, plant-based absorbable haemostat made from oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC). It is designed to fix the shortcomings of traditional ORC materials and is biocompatible, fast-acting, bactericidal, easily cut, flexible, suturable, and usable dry around bleeding sites.
What complications can occur after third molar extraction?
Complications range from mild pain and swelling to serious conditions such as nerve injury, mandibular fracture and life-threatening infections, as shown below.1-4
Some complications are minor, while others may require additional treatment to ensure a smooth recovery. Keeping bleeding under control and helping the healing process are key to improving patients’ comfort and recovery. In this context, SURGISPON® Dental is specifically designed to meet the needs of dental and oral surgeries.
What is a SURGISPON® DENTAL?
This is gamma-sterilized, absorbable gelatin sponge designed for rapid haemostasis in dental procedures. It can absorb up to 45 times their weight in blood and be fully absorbed within 4 weeks.
SURGISPON® Dental provides effective bleeding control and can be safely used with antibiotics or chemotherapeutics.
Fig 1: SURGISPON® Dental – Absorbable Haemostatic Sponge
What are the key features?
| FEATURE | SURGISPON® DENTAL |
| Material | Made from highly purified pharmaceutical-grade gelatin |
| Tissue Reaction | Uniform porosity with neutral tissue reaction |
| Application | Can be applied dry or saturated with sterile saline |
| Safety | Free from toxins, allergens, pyrogens, and does not elicit immune reactions |
What are the benefits?
| BENEFIT | SURGISPON® DENTAL |
| Haemostasis | Biocompatible with fast-acting haemostasis |
| Healing | Helps mitigate alveolar ridge resorption |
| Patient Comfort | Enhances user and patient comfort |
| Safety | Supports stable bone regeneration |
| Additional Use | Reduces the risk of secondary bleeding |
| Acts as an effective carrier for localized delivery of analgesics |
What does clinical evidence say?
The clinical study evaluated 30 patients underwent bilateral mandibular wisdom tooth extraction using a split-mouth design6
- Study group: Hyaluronic acid (HA) solution applied with SURGISPON® (gelatin sponge) as a scaffold
- Control group: SURGISPON® alone placed intra-socket
Key clinical outcomes6
When comparing HA with SURGISPON® versus SURGISPON® alone, this study demonstrated:
1. Facial Swelling: Significantly reduced on postoperative days 2 and 7 in the study group; SURGISPON® alone still supported predictable healing
2. Trismus (Mouth Opening): Both groups showed postoperative mouth-opening limitation, with significantly better recovery in the study group on days 2 and 7
3. Pain and Analgesic Consumption: Lower pain scores in the study group during days 1–3 (p = 0.001); the control group required more analgesics yet healed without complications
Conclusion
Effective management of postoperative bleeding is essential for improving outcomes after third molar extraction. By providing reliable haemostasis and supporting natural healing, SURGISPON® Dental serves as valuable adjuncts in dental and oral surgical practice.
References:
- Refahi R, Zarch RE, Naeimi M. The effect of Cutanplast on swelling and pain after impacted third molar removal surgery: A randomized controlled study. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology. 2021 May 1;33(3):256-9.
- Renton T, Coulthard P, Chiu G, Master S, Brookes V, Atack N, Weston P, Drage N, Dewan K, Bishop K, Odell E. Parameters of care for patients undergoing mandibular third molar surgery. Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2020.
- Miclotte I, Agbaje JO, Spaey Y, Legrand P, Politis C. Incidence and treatment of complications in patients who had third molars or other teeth extracted. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2018 Jun 1;56(5):388-93.
- Sayed N, Bakathir A, Pasha M, Al-Sudairy S. Complications of Third Molar Extraction: A retrospective study from a tertiary healthcare centre in Oman. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2019 Nov 5;19(3):e230.
- Pesce G, Sartoretto SC, Resende RF, Silva MT, Granjeiro JM, Del Fabbro M, Mourão CF, Calasans-Maia M. Comparative Efficacy of Two Hemostatic Agents in Post-Extraction Bleeding Control Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2025 Aug 22;16(9):305.
- Shuborna NS, Khoo LK, Bhattarai BP, Chaiyasamut T, Kiattavorncharoen S, Pairuchvej V, Wongsirichat N. Intra-socket application of Hyaluronic acid reduces pain and swelling following wisdom teeth removal. Journal of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery. 2022;28(1):14.
