Melatonin premedication versus placebo in wisdom teeth extraction: a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pharmacology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Postoperative pain and anxiety are common following wisdom teeth extraction.
• Young patients often experience compounded anxiety before surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of melatonin premedication on postoperative pain and anxiety.
• To assess patient satisfaction and sleep quality after wisdom teeth surgery.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 76 patients undergoing wisdom teeth extraction.
• Patients received either 6 mg melatonin or placebo 90 minutes preoperatively.
• Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and anxiety were recorded, along with satisfaction and sleep quality.

Main Results:

• Female patients receiving melatonin showed a faster reduction in VAS pain and anxiety scores over time compared to placebo.
• No significant effect of melatonin was observed in male patients.
• No significant differences were found in sleep quality or patient satisfaction scores between groups.

Conclusions:

• Melatonin premedication demonstrated a positive effect on pain and anxiety reduction specifically in female patients.
• The findings suggest a potential sexual dimorphism in the response to melatonin for managing pain and anxiety after wisdom teeth surgery.