Twin Mixed Local Anesthesia in Third Molar Surgery - Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of Preemptive Analgesia on Pain Perception After Simple Tooth Extraction: A Prospective Study

Background and objective This study aims to explore the concept of preemptive analgesia, which is the technique of administration of analgesic agents before the painful stimulus. This bridges the time gap between the onset of action of the analgesic agents and the wear-off of local anesthesia. Existing literature also brings up the concept of central sensitization, which is the hyper-activity of the nervous system in response to a noxious stimulus. Administration of preemptive analgesia prevents central sensitization and hence provides prolonged analgesia to the patient. For the benefit of this study, tab. Etoricoxib 90 mg was used as the analgesic agent. In addition, this study aims to investigate the effects of the administration of tab. Etoricoxib 90 mg 30 minutes before extraction of a single mandibular third molar on the effects of pain experienced by the patient after tooth extraction as compared to a placebo. Methodology This was a double-blinded, prospective, observational study. The pain experienced by 50 participants in each group was measured at 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours postoperatively using a visual analog scale (VAS). The independent samples t-test was then conducted to evaluate the results and draw out conclusions. Results The average difference in pain experienced was maximum in the first hour after the procedure. The mean VAS score reported by patients was 3.14 in the study group but was 6.40 in the control group within the first hour. This difference was reduced in the first six hours after the procedure, with the average score being 3.82 in the study and 7.16 in the control group. The difference was the least after 12 hours, with the study group experiencing a VAS score of 4.64 and controls experiencing a VAS score of 6.14. After the first 24 hours, the mean VAS score was 3.80 in the study group and 5.60 in the control group. Conclusions Preemptive administration of tab. Etoricoxib 90 mg can reduce postextraction pain in healthy adult patients as compared to placebo tablets, with a maximum difference in pain reduction seen at the end of the first six hours (P = 0.012) and the minimum at the end of 12 hours (P = 0.0197).

A comparative evaluation of the effect of addition of 8 mg dexamethasone to 2% lignocaine with adrenaline in mandibular third molar surgery: a split mouth randomised double blind study

Background

Impacted lower third molar surgeries involve trauma in a highly vascularized zone with loose connective tissue leading to inflammatory sequelae including postoperative pain, swelling, trismus and generalised oral dysfunction during the post-operative phase. In minor oral surgical procedures, an all-inclusive method to protract anaesthesia and reduce the inevitable post-operative sequelae is yet to be explored substantially.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone added to local anaesthetics in extending the depth and duration of anaesthesia and decreasing the postoperative complications after surgical removal of impacted third molars.

Methodology

A controlled, randomized, split-mouth, double-blind prospective study involving lower third molar surgery was performed in 35 patients wherein the test group (Group I) received 8 mg dexamethasone added to 2 ml of 2% lignocaine with epinephrine and the control group (Group II) received 2 ml of sterile water added to 2 ml of 2% lignocaine with epinephrine. Onset and duration of anaesthesia were evaluated; followed by evaluation of pain, swelling and trismus for 7 days post-surgery, using independent t-test and ANOVA for repeated measures.

Results

Test group had a faster onset of anaesthesia by 69 s and a lengthier duration of 128.4 min (p < 0.001). Pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale) in the first 24 h were 4.9 and 7.5 in the test and control group respectively (p < 0.001). The average dosing of analgesics until postoperative day 7 in the test and control group were 12.6 and 18.4 respectively (p < 0.001). The swelling was significantly lesser in the test group, in addition, trismus was significantly lesser by 1 cm on postoperative days 1 and 2 and 0.2 cm on day 7.

Conclusion

The addition of dexamethasone to lignocaine in the nerve block reduces the time of onset and significantly prolongs the duration of anaesthesia with decreased pain, swelling and trismus. Steroids mixed directly with the local anaesthetic agent can minimise the post-operative sequelae associated with third molar surgery with a single needle prick.

Efficacy of Different Techniques of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block for Mandibular Anesthesia: A Comparative Prospective Study

Background The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is a commonly employed technique in oral surgery for achieving profound anesthesia in the mandibular teeth and associated structures. Several techniques have been developed to enhance the success rate and patient comfort during the IANB. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the efficacy of different IANB techniques for mandibular anesthesia.  Materials and methods The participants included in the study were adults requiring surgical extraction of an impacted mandibular third molar teeth. A total of 100 participants were randomly assigned to five different groups representing various techniques of IANB, i.e., conventional Halsted technique, Vazirani-Akinosi technique, Gow-Gates technique, Fischer 1-2-3, and extraoral Kurt-Thoma technique, with 20 participants in each group. The participants were evaluated for the onset of anesthesia using subjective and objective methods, pain perception during the administration of local anesthesia using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS), and the incidence of trismus postoperatively. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for windows, version 23.0 (released 2015; IBM Corp Armonk, United States) with p-values less than 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, and post-hoc tests were included in the data analysis for intergroup comparisons. Results The primary outcomes evaluated were the onset of anesthesia, the patient's perception of pain during the administration of local anesthesia, and the secondary outcome included in the incidence of trismus. In this study, it was found that the Kurt-Thoma technique had the fastest onset of anesthesia (2.25 minutes), higher incidence of trismus (25%), and higher pain perception (6.5 score on VAS). The conventional Halstead technique (3.55 minutes), Fischer 1-2-3 technique (3.5 minutes), and Vazirani-Akinosi technique (3.1 minutes) had an almost similar mean duration of anesthesia. The onset of anesthesia was delayed in the Gow-Gates technique (5.1 minutes). Patient perception of pain during administration of local anesthesia was higher in the Kurt-Thoma (6.5) and Gow-Gates techniques (4.95), and it was least in the Fischer 1-2-3 technique (0.75) in the VAS scores. The incidence of trismus was highest with the Kurt-Thoma technique (25%), then the Gow-Gates technique (20%), followed by the conventional Halstead technique (5%).  Conclusion In this study, it was found that the conventional Halsted technique was the best among the different techniques of IANB and remains the gold standard.

Comparison of Pain Perception Between Local Infiltration and Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Injection Techniques in Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Lower Premolar Extractions

Introduction The most frequently used local anesthesia administration techniques for extraction of lower teeth in dentistry are local infiltration and inferior alveolar nerve block. Therapeutic extraction of premolars is the most common procedure done for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Inferior alveolar nerve block has been used most commonly for extraction of mandibular posterior teeth; however, it is a technique-sensitive procedure and has complications such as facial nerve palsy, trismus, and long duration of anesthesia. Local infiltration is a simple and effective technique for anesthetizing teeth prior to extraction. Aim This study aims to compare the efficacy of local anesthesia administered through inferior alveolar nerve block and local infiltration techniques for extraction of lower premolar teeth for orthodontic purposes. Materials and methods A prospective comparative study was conducted for a period of six months in which a total of 100 patients who were referred for extraction of lower premolar teeth for orthodontic purposes were included. Among 100 patients, 60 patients were males, and 40 patients were females with a mean age of 16.5 ± 1.25 years. The patients were equally divided into two groups, in which Group 1 received local infiltration and Group 2 received an inferior alveolar nerve block. The outcome parameters assessed were pain during injection and pain during extraction using the visual analog scale (VAS) score and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale score. Statistical analysis was done using an independent sample t-test with SPSS version 23.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) at p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The difference in mean pain scores between the two groups during injection as assessed using the Faces Pain Rating Scale (p = 0.001) and VAS (p = 0.001) was statistically significant, with the infiltration group exhibiting less pain than the inferior alveolar nerve block group. The difference in mean pain scores between the two groups during extraction as assessed using the Faces Pain Rating Scale (p = 0.308) and VAS (p = 0.350) was statistically not significant, with the infiltration group not significantly differing from the inferior alveolar nerve block group. Thus, the pain during local infiltration was significantly lesser when compared to the inferior alveolar nerve block during injection, whereas pain perception during extraction was similar in patients with both injection techniques. Conclusion It can be concluded that local infiltration is less painful for the patient during injection and as efficacious as nerve block for extraction, hence local infiltration can be routinely used for lower premolar orthodontic extractions.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Midazolam and Dexmedetomidine As Sedative Agents in Third Molar Surgery

Introduction Minor dental and oral surgical procedures have been made comfortable with the rise in the use of daycare sedatives. Of these sedatives, midazolam is deemed a common sedative used for minor oral surgical procedures. Newer and safer sedatives such as dexmedetomidine have certain properties that may prove more efficient in oral surgical procedures. Third molar surgery is one of the most common minor oral surgical procedures performed in dentistry. Thus, this study aims to compare the efficacy of midazolam and dexmedetomidine as sedative agents in third molar surgery. Materials and methods Sixty young adult patients free from other comorbidities were included in the study with ages ranging between 18 and 50 years. The samples were matched for the difficulty of impacted teeth and randomly distributed among the groups. Groups were administered the respective sedative drugs midazolam and dexmedetomidine and their effects were observed through the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale. The intraoperative vitals and sedation effects were checked every 15 minutes. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Independent samples t-test and analysis of variance were the statistical tests employed to analyze the obtained data with p<0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results The depth of sedation has been both subjectively and objectively assessed and had no significant difference among the groups. The intra-operative heart rate assessment proved a more efficient reduction of pulse rate in the dexmedetomidine group as compared with the midazolam group. However, it was not statistically significant (p=0.121). The mean diastolic blood pressure showed a statistically significant difference between the groups with dexmedetomidine having lower blood diastolic pressure compared to midazolam (p=0.004). Quick arousal was witnessed in the dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion It can be concluded from the study that both dexmedetomidine and midazolam were equally effective as sedative agents for third molar surgery. However, the nature of cardio-protection, anti-sialagogue, and analgesic properties of dexmedetomidine can prove helpful, especially in minor oral surgical procedures like third molar surgery and it is recommended.

Comparison of Pain Levels With Postoperative Intramuscular Administration of Single-Dose Ketoprofen Versus Diclofenac Sodium in Patients Undergoing Lower Third Molar Surgery

Background Third molar surgeries are commonly performed in oral and maxillofacial surgery practice. Pain associated with this procedure is usually a frequent reason for patient apprehension and discomfort. Oral analgesics, though effective, do not provide sufficient pain relief in the immediate postoperative period.  Aim To assess the postoperative effect on pain levels of single-dose administration of ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium as an injection in patients undergoing third molar removal surgeries.  Methods This study was conducted among 30 patients divided into two groups (n=15). Patients in Group K received injection ketoprofen 100 mg and Group D included patients receiving injection diclofenac sodium 75 mg, both intramuscularly postoperatively. The intensity of pain was assessed at 30 minutes, two, six, and eight hours post-surgical removal of the impacted tooth using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The statistical data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The comparative statistical test adopted to compare pain scores between the two groups was the Independent samples t-test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results Our study results revealed that Group K patient's VAS scores after two hours, six hours, and eight hours were 3.9 ± 2.7, 4.5 ± 3.23, 2.93 ± 2.27 respectively. In Group D patient's VAS scores after two hours, six hours, and eight hours were 4.83 ± 2.82, 5.03 ± 2.9, 3.73 ± 2.91 respectively. Patients who were administered ketoprofen had lower pain levels when compared to patients who were given diclofenac but the difference was not statistically significant at any time point (p=0.172 after eight hours). Our results depicted that the pain levels uniformly reached their maximal levels six hours after the procedure and thereafter steadily declined in both groups.  Conclusion It can be concluded from the study that both the drugs ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium analyzed in this study can be used interchangeably for the reduction of pain following lower third molar surgery.