• Wanida Tachawattanawisal
• Wanvalee Jarearnkul
• Waleratana Sukarawan
• Wachareya Thongratanasiri
• Wituwan Peawchana
• Somchai Sessirisombat

Objective  To compare the analgesic effect of 2 NSAIDs, ibuprofen and mefenamic acid, after surgical removal of impacted 3^rd molar and to compare 2 modes of drug administration between taking the analgesic every 6 hours and when having pain.

Materials and methods  40 patients underwent surgical removal of partially erupted impacted lower third molar by the 5^th year dental students. After operations the patients were randomly divided into four groups and were prescribed with different analgesics and modes of drug administrations regarding the study design. All of the patients were recalled one week after operations for stitch removal and were asked to complete the questionnaires. Postoperative pain was evaluated and all the remaining analgesics were counted. The data were tested for normality and analyzed by single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results  There is no significant difference in the amount of analgesics used after surgery between mefenamic acid and ibuprofen. The patients took fewer medications when being prescribed the analgesics every 6 hours than taking them when having pain.

Conclusion  Since ibuprofen is cheaper and has fewer side effects with no difference in analgesic effect compared to mefenamic acid, prescribing ibuprofen every 6 hours after surgical removal of impacted 3^rd molars is recommened.

(CU Dent J 2001;24:139-44)