Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Oxaprozin and Naproxen Sodium After Removal of Impacted Lower Third Molars: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study

Purpose

In this study, oxaprozin, a long-acting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and naproxen sodium were compared in terms of their effects on edema, pain, and trismus after surgery for impacted mandibular third molars.

Materials and Methods

Thirty healthy patients with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars were included in this randomized, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 surgery groups and received postoperatively 1,200 mg oxaprozin, 550 mg naproxen sodium, or a placebo. Postoperative edema was measured with ultrasonography performed before and after surgery. Trismus was measured by comparison of preoperative and postoperative maximum interincisal mouth opening measurements by caliper. Pain was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and by recording the number of rescue analgesic pills taken.

Results

After removal of impacted third molars, the patients administered oxaprozin and naproxen showed superior results over those given placebo in terms of pain parameters (P < .05), but these treatments had no statistically significant effect on facial swelling. Comparing the oxaprozin and naproxen groups, there were no differences in the mouth opening measurements, but naproxen showed a statistically superior effect over the placebo (P < .05). Although not statistically significant, oxaprozin showed a more pronounced effect in reducing trismus than did the placebo (P = .07).

Conclusions

Administration of either oxaprozin or naproxen sodium during the postoperative period is effective and has similar effects in reducing pain but questionable benefit for the management of trismus. However, neither agent has clinical benefit in terms of reducing edema.