Background and aim: Postoperative pain is an adverse effect of oral surgeries and may therefore be prevented or minimized. This study compares the efficacy of preemptive ibuprofen and dexamethasone protocols in pain prevention and control after surgical implant placement. Methods: For this prospective, double-masked, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 117 dental implants were placed. The groups received three different protocols 1 hour before surgery: 1. 600 mg ibuprofen (and another 600 mg dose 6 hours after the first dose); 2. 4 mg dexamethasone (and another 4 mg 6 hours after the first dose) or 3. placebo. Rescue medication (1000 mg acetaminophen) was given to each patient who was instructed to take it if necessary. Pain intensity was evaluated by a 101-point numeric rate scale and visual analogue scale, additionally discomfort was evaluated using a four-point verbal rate scale, hourly for the first 8 hours after surgery and three times a day on the following 3 days.
This prospective clinical trial investigated the efficacy of preemptive medication in mitigating postoperative pain following dental implant surgeries. With a sample size of 117 participants, the study employed a double-masked, parallel-group, placebo-controlled design. Patients were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatment protocols-an ibuprofen regimen, a dexamethasone regimen, or a placebo-administered one hour before surgery. Pain intensity and discomfort were assessed using numeric, visual, and verbal scales hourly for the first 8 hours post-surgery, followed by thrice-daily evaluations for the next 3 days. Additionally, rescue medication (acetaminophen) was provided to manage pain as needed. The study aimed to determine whether ibuprofen or dexamethasone could effectively alleviate postoperative pain compared to a placebo to highlight optimal pain management strategies for dental implant procedures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
132
This group receives 1 hour before surgery 600 mg ibuprofen (and another 600 mg dose 6 hours after the first dose);
This group receives 1 hour before surgery 4 mg dexamethasone (and another 4 mg 6 hours after the first dose)
This group receives 1 hour before surgery placebo.
A Rescue medication (1000 mg acetaminophen) was given to each patient who was instructed to take it if necessary.
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Was Used to Measures Levels of Pain.
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a 10-cm line with two extremes at either end: "no pain" (0) and "pain that could not be more severe" (10). Patients were asked to mark a point on the line that best represented their perceived level of pain. The marked position on the line was then measured in centimeters to provide a score between 0 and 10. * Minimum Score: 0 (No pain) * Maximum Score: 10 (Pain that could not be more severe) * Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better outcomes, representing lower levels of perceived pain. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes, representing greater levels of pain. * Unit of Measure: Scores on a scale (0-10)
Time frame: 8 hours-time
the 101-point Numerical Rate Scale (NRS-101) Was Used to Measures Levels of Pain.
The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-101) is a scale ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10(0) represents either "the worst possible pain" or "the most intense pain imaginable". * Minimum Score: 0 (No pain) * Maximum Score: 100 (Worst possible pain) * Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better outcomes, representing lower levels of perceived pain. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes, representing higher levels of perceived pain. * Unit of Measure: Scores on a scale (0-100)
Time frame: 8 hours-time
The 4-point Verbal Rating Scale (VRS-4) Was Used to Measures Levels of Discomfort.
The 4-point Verbal Rating Scale (VRS-4) is a verbal scale used to assess the severity of a given condition, such as pain. Patients rate their experience by selecting one of four verbal descriptors that best represents their perceived intensity, ranging from "no pain" to "severe pain." * Minimum Score: 0 (No pain) * Maximum Score: 3 (Severe pain) * Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better outcomes, representing lower levels of perceived severity. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes, representing greater levels of severity. * Unit of Measure: Scores on a scale (0-3)
Time frame: 8 hours-time
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