Healing after dental extraction: a randomized clinical trial using Canova

Previous studies have shown that CanovaŽ (CA - Canova of Brazil), a homeopathic medication produced from Aconitum, Arsenicum, Bryonia, Lachesis and Thuya, might promote improvement in infectious and inflammatory conditions. Objectives: The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the effect of CA on healing after dental extraction. Methods: 20 healthy adults requiring 1 or 2 extractions participated in this study, randomly divided into two groups: treated and control. After surgery the patients received in a double blind regime a coded bottle of equal volume of either CA or placebo, and were instructed to take ten drops once a day. After that, they had to place five drops in half a glass of water to wash the operated area. These procedures were prescribed for 7 days. Patients were evaluated 3 and 7 days postoperatively. Signs (purulent exudate at the extraction site, erythema, abnormal swelling, exposure of alveolar bone, smell, and the cover of the wound by mucosa) and symptoms (pain, taste, and pruritus) were scored: from 1 (none), to 2 (mild), to 3 (intense) and logged in a table. Results: Patients treated with CA did not experience any abnormal symptoms or signs of inflammation. Seven days postoperatively the alveolus was covered with normal pale pink mucosa in most patients (9/10) of the treated group, while only one patient (1/10) of the control group showed similar result. Besides other signs and symptoms,in the control group 4 patients (4/10) developed aphtous ulcerations postsurgery and one patient had halitosis, bad taste, intense pain, and exposure of the alveolar bone, diagnosed as dry socket. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CA might help healing dental sockets after extraction, accelerating tissue regeneration. Additional studies are needed in order to further elucidate the relevance of this medication.