Effects of preoperative ibuprofen and naproxen sodium on orthodontic pain

Abstract

Three experimental groups of 20 patients each, all of whom were to undergo fixed orthodontic treatment, were enrolled in this prospective study. Group 1 was given a placebo, group 2 was given 400 mg ibuprofen, and group 3 was given 550 mg naproxen sodium. All the patients received only one dose that was given one hour before archwire placement. All patients were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning the pain perceived after archwire placement. The questionnaire was in the form of a seven-page booklet that contained 100-mm horizontal Visual Analogue Scale on which the patient marked the degree of discomfort at the indicated time periods. The patients were instructed to make a check on the scale at each time interval to represent the perceived severity of pain during each of four activities, ie, chewing, biting, fitting back teeth together, and fitting front teeth together. Incidence and severity of pain were recorded by the patient at two hours, six hours, nighttime on the day of appointment, 24 hours after the appointment, and two days, three days, and seven days after bonding. The results revealed that patients taking 550 mg naproxen sodium one hour before archwire placement had significantly lower levels of pain at two hours, six hours, and nighttime after adjustment than patients taking placebo or ibuprofen. However, the use of additional postoperative doses was recommended to control orthodontic pain completely.