A prospective split-mouth clinical study: Comparison of the effect of lornoxicam and etodolac on postoperative sequels following lower third molar surgery

Purpose This study aims to compare the efficacy of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), namely lornoxicam and etodolac for controlling pain, edema and trismus after removal of lower impacted third molars. Materials and Methods A total of 20 patients comprised of both genders with bilateral impacted lower impacted third molars (in similar positions) was included in the present study. Patients were randomly assigned either to the lornoxicam group (8 mg of lornoxicam) or to the etodolac group (400 mg of etodolac). The drugs prescribed were handed out immediately after tooth extraction. Postoperative pain was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS). Swelling was evaluated using reference lines on the face. Trismus was assessed using a caliper at maximum mouth opening (mm). Results There was no significant difference in postoperative pain, trismus, and swelling between lornoxicam and etodolac group (p > 0.05). Conclusions Based on the results obtained in the present study, ıt has been verified that both lornoxicam and etodolac were adequately effective in the management of pain following third molar surgery. Lornoxicam and etodolac had similar impacts on pain, swelling and trismus after lower third molar surgical extractions.