Is Cryotherapy Beneficial After Surgical Removal of Impacted Lower Third Molars?

Henrique Tedesco20 enrolled

Overview

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative parameters (pain intensity, edema, trismus, and the quality of life) after lower third molar extraction. Patients underwent bilateral extraction of mandibular third molars in a single surgical procedure. Cryotherapy was applied to one side using facial ice packs, while no cryotherapy was performed on the contralateral side. Surgical procedures, postoperative instructions, and prescribed medications were identical for both sides. Consequently, the side treated with ice packs exhibited lower pain intensity, shorter pain duration, and reduced use of rescue medication.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Cold Therapy

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria * Indication for bilateral surgical removal of mandibular third molars in similar positions * Absence of systemic comorbidities * Absence of local inflammatory processes * Absence of local infectious processes * No history of allergy to the prescribed medications * No chronic use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and/or analgesics Exclusion Criteria * Use of medications other than those prescribed by the surgeon * Failure to provide the required data

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Effects of cryotherapy on postoperative pain intensity after lower third molar extraction - using a visual analog scale.

Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative pain intensity following lower third molar extraction using a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. Pain intensity was recorded daily by the participants over a 7-day postoperative period.

Time frame: 7 days

Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative edema after lower third molar extraction - using the mean of three linear facial measurements

Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative edema following lower third molar extraction using three linear facial measurements: tragus to pogonion, tragus to oral commissure, and lateral canthus to the mandibular angle. Measurements were recorded in millimeters, and the mean of the three values was calculated to quantify edema. Assessments were performed preoperatively and postoperatively on the second and seventh days.

Time frame: 7 days

Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative trismus after lower third molar extraction - measuring maximum mouth opening

Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative trismus following lower third molar extraction by measuring maximum mouth opening. Patients were seated with the tragus-ala plane parallel to the ground. Measurements were obtained using a measuring tape and recorded in millimeters. Assessments were performed on postoperative days 0, 2, and 7.

Time frame: 7 days

Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative quality of life after lower third molar extraction - using a questionnaire adapted from the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14)

Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative quality of life following lower third molar extraction using a questionnaire adapted from the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), consisting of 14 dichotomous (yes/no) questions addressing daily functional limitations. The questionnaire was administered on the day of surgery and completed by participants on postoperative days 0, 2, and 7.

Time frame: 7 days