title: Comparison Between Dexamethasone and Ibuprofen for Postoperative Pain Prevention and Control After Surgical Implant Placement: A Double-Masked, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: Postoperative pain is a potential adverse side effect of oral surgeries, and attempts should be made to prevent or minimize it. This study compares efficacy of preemptive ibuprofen and dexamethasone protocols for pain prevention or control after surgical implant placement.
  
  
  
  This prospective, double-masked, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial included 117 patients with planned dental implant placement. Patients were assigned to receive one of three different protocols: 1) 600 mg ibuprofen 1 hour before surgery and another 600 mg 6 hours after the first dose; 2) 4 mg dexamethasone 1 hour before surgery and another 4 mg 6 hours after the first dose; or 3) placebo. Rescue medication (1,000 mg acetaminophen) was made available to each patient, and they were instructed to take it as necessary. Pain intensity was evaluated via a 101-point numeric rating scale and a visual analog scale, and discomfort was evaluated using a four-point verbal rating scale hourly for the first 8 hours after surgery and three times daily for the following 3 days.
  
  
  
  Ibuprofen and dexamethasone significantly reduced pain (Kruskal-Wallis; P <0.05) up to 3 days after surgery and discomfort (P <0.05) up to 2 days after surgery compared with placebo treatment. Both treatments reduced the number of painkillers taken and increased time before the first painkiller was taken (P <0.01).
  
  
  
  Steroidal dexamethasone is as effective as non-steroidal ibuprofen for preventing or controlling postoperative pain and discomfort after surgical implant placement.
authors: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Maha A
authors: MA
authors: Bahammam
authors: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Rayyan A
authors: RA
authors: Kayal
authors: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.|Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Qassim University, Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Dhafer S
authors: DS
authors: Alasmari
authors: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.|Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Qassim University, Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.|Radiology Department, Al Azhar University.
authors: Mai S
authors: MS
authors: Attia
authors: Endodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University.
authors: Laila A
authors: LA
authors: Bahammam
authors: Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University.|Department of Biostatistics, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors: Mona H
authors: MH
authors: Hassan
authors: Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry, King Saud University College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Hamad A
authors: HA
authors: Alzoman
authors: Preventive Dental Science Department, University of Dammam College of Dentistry, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Almas
authors: Department of Stomatology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Joao Paulo
authors: JP
authors: Steffens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: Dental implants; dexamethasone; double-blind method; ibuprofen; pain; pain measurement