ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the frequency of dry sockets in patients receiving acetaminophen versus ibuprofen for simple dental extraction of mandibular molars.

Methods: It was double-blinded randomized controlled trial study conducted at the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore Pakistan from January 2018 to July 2018. One hundred patients were randomized using random number table into two groups each consisting of 50 patients. Group A received acetaminophen whereas group B received ibuprofen thirty minutes preoperatively and every eight hours postoperatively for two days. Both groups were followed for 48-72 hours after extraction for pain status and clot absence.

Results: In group A moderate pain was reported by 80% of patients whereas 18% faced severe pain. In group B 62% of patients had moderate pain and 36% had severe pain the difference was statistically insignificant(P>0.05). The clot was absent in 8% of patients in group A and 30% in group B which was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The study concluded that ibuprofen used for analgesia increases the occurrence of dry socket as compared to acetaminophen.

Keywords: Acetaminophen, Alveolar Osteitis, Alveolitis, Dry socket