The Effect of Oral Ketorolac Compared to Ibuprofen on Edema, Trismus, and Pain After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery

Background: Latent third molar extraction is the most common surgery in dentistry. Common complications of this surgery include pain, swelling, and trismus. To control these side effects, several drugs have been developed and evaluated in various studies. However, the present study is the first one to compare the effects of ibuprofen and ketorolac on pain, swelling, and trismus after molar surgery. Methods: This study was a split-mouth clinical trial. To conduct the trial, 20 candidates were selected from among patients referring to Surgery Department of the Dentistry School at Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences for mandibular third molar removal surgery. The patients were divided into two groups after the surgery: one group received ibuprofen, and the other one received ketorolac. Pain, swelling, and trismus were evaluated prior to the surgical procedure, 24 hours later, and one week after the surgery. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22 by using Wilcoxon statistical tests and paired t test. Results: Ibuprofen and ketorolac had similar effects on pain relief (P value>0.05). Studying the two groups produced similar results regarding improvement in mouth opening (P value>0.05). Improvement pace of the postoperative swelling was significantly faster in the group receiving ketorolac compared to the one receiving ibuprofen (P value <0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that ibuprofen and ketorolac had positive and almost similar effects on pain control, edema, and trismus after molar surgery. However, ketorolac was more effective in controlling edema after surgery.