Comparison of the effects of diclofenac potassium and tenoxicam on postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus following third molar surgery

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare two nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents in relation to pain, swelling, and trismus following impacted third molar surgery. Materials and methods: The study was a randomized and a double-blinded study and included 50 healthy individuals. After the operation, patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups in which diclofenac potassium and tenoxicam were used. Impacted third molars were surgically extracted with local anesthesia. Pain was assessed postoperatively by visual analog scale at the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours and on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days. Swelling was evaluated using the method of Üstün et al. and trismus was measured with calipers on the postoperative 3rd and 7th days. Results: There was statistically significant difference between the groups in VAS levels at the 2nd and 6th hours; however, VAS levels of the tenoxicam group were significantly lower as compared to diclofenac potassium at the 8th, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours and on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No difference was noted regarding trismus and swelling between the groups. Conclusion: Diclofenac potassium and tenoxicam are similarly effective for reduction of swelling and trismus following the extraction of mandibular third molars; however, tenoxicam surpasses diclofenac potassium for controlling pain.