Effectiveness of Honey in the Treatment and Prevention of Alveolar Osteitis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives Honey has been used for millennia as a treatment for covering wounds that are difficult to repair. Hippocrates already reported the benefits of honey with this type of treatment. The objective of this work is to evaluate the literature on the use of honey in cases as preventive as treatment complications after extractions, more specifically alveolar osteitis or alveolitis. Material and Methods A systematic literature review was carried out on PubMed, LILACS and Dimensions platforms, following PRISMA guidelines, to gain more knowledge on the topic. Due to the scarcity of articles on the topic, there are no restrictions regarding languages, publication dates or impact factor journal. Animal studies and reviews were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed through Review Manager Software 5.4. Results With simple, low-cost, and affordable medications, many of the complications after tooth extractions can be resolved more quickly and less painfully for patients with more significant difficulties, whether financial or access, to other treatments. Conclusion Honey is an effective prevention and treatment for alveolar osteitis.