Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Treatment in Uncomplicated Odontogenic Infections: A Randomized, Double-blind,...

Odontogenic infections are among the most common problems encountered in usual dental practice. The role and efficacy of complementary treatments such as individualized homeopathy are not well characterized.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 60 patients with uncomplicated odontogenic infections. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either Individualized Homeopathy (IH, n=30) or Placebo (PL, n=30), in addition to non-medicinal management. Co-primary outcome measures included Visual Analog Scales for Pain (VAS-P) and Swelling (VAS-S). Secondary outcome measures comprised the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and time taken for complete symptom resolution (Ts). All outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3rd day, 7th day, and 14th day, except Ts, which was monitored daily until symptoms completely resolved within 14 days.

IH showed significant improvement over PL in VAS-P at day 7 (P = .005) and day 14 (P < .001), as well as in VAS-S at day 7 (P = .001) and day 14 (P < .001). OHIP-14 improvement post-treatment was notably higher in IH than PL (F=3.404, P < .05). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant difference in Ts (P = .015), with reduced hazard in the PL group (Hazard Ratio = 0.3024, 95% CI: 0.1087-0.8414). The most prescribed medicines in the IH group were Mercurius solubilis (16.6%) and Hypericum perfoliatum (13.3%), whereas in the PL group, the most indicated medicines were Mercurius solubilis (13.3%) and Staphysagria (13.3%).

This study demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect of homeopathy over placebo in alleviating pain and swelling linked to odontogenic infections. Nevertheless, to firmly establish this finding, a large-scale replication trial employing a similar methodology is deemed necessary.

homeopathy, odontogenic infections, randomized controlled trial, placebo, dental infections.