Effects of preoperative ibuprofen on pain after separator placement

• Published in: American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics 2009-10, Vol.136 (4), p.510-517
• Main Authors: Minor, Valerie, Marris, C. Kary, McGorray, Susan P, Yezierski, Robert, Fillingim, Roger, Logan, Henrietta, Wheeler, Timothy T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Affect - physiology; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - administration & dosage; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - therapeutic use; Anxiety - psychology; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Dental Occlusion; Dentistry; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Ibuprofen - administration & dosage; Ibuprofen - therapeutic use; Male; Mastication - physiology; Medical Records; Medical sciences; Orthodontic Appliance Design; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pain - prevention & control; Pain - psychology; Pain Measurement; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Placebos; Prospective Studies; Sex Factors; Tooth Movement Techniques - instrumentation; Tooth Movement Techniques - psychology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0889-5406; 1097-6752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2007.09.018

Introduction Many patients experience pain with orthodontics, but there is no widely accepted standard of care for controlling orthodontic pain. Previous studies were inconclusive as to the most effective way to manage orthodontic pain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness in reducing pain of preemptive ibuprofen added to an ibuprofen regimen administered after separator placement. We also examined the contributions of psychological factors and sex to the experience of pain. Methods The subjects were randomly assigned to group A, 400 mg of ibuprofen 1 hour before separator placement (D1), 3 hours after placement (D2), and 7 hours after placement (D3); group B, placebo at D1, 400 mg of ibuprofen at D2 and D3; or group C, placebo at D1, D2, and D3. Before separator placement, the subjects completed 2 psychological surveys, a masticatory efficiency test, and a visual analog scale for expected pain and experienced pain during the masticatory efficiency test. After placement, the subjects recorded their actual pain, kept a pain diary for 24 hours after separator placement, and performed a 24-hour follow-up masticatory efficiency test. Results Group A, receiving ibuprofen before and after separator placement, experienced significantly less pain ( P