Effect of preoperative ibuprofen on pain and swelling after lower third molar removal: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of preoperative and postoperative administration of ibuprofen after the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars. A triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 120 patients requiring the surgical removal of lower third molars was performed. The subjects were randomized into the experimental group (patients were administered 600 mg of ibuprofen (p.o.) 1h before the surgical procedure, followed by placebo just after the end of the operation) or into the control group (subjects received the same medication but the administration sequence was reversed). Pain was assessed using visual analogue scales, and consumption of rescue analgesic. The facial swelling and trismus were evaluated by measuring facial reference distances and maximum mouth opening. There were no significant differences between the two study groups regarding postoperative pain, rescue analgesics consumption, facial swelling and trismus. There was a slightly higher need for rescue analgesics in the experimental group. The preoperative intake of ibuprofen does not seem to reduce pain, facial swelling and trismus after impacted lower third molar removal when compared to the postoperative administration of the same drug.