Effects of intraoperative placement of tetracycline, tetracycline + gelatin sponge, and placebo on postoperative pain after mandibular molar extraction: A comparative prospective study

BACKGROUND: Painless postoperative period is a major requisite following routine dental extractions. Reduction in the postextraction complication is beneficial to both clinician and patients. Hence, emphasis should be given to the techniques and agents that help reduce the complications for better postoperative recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups of 30 patients each requiring mandibular molar extractions were randomly selected with intrasocket placement of tetracycline, tetracycline plus gelatin sponge, and placebo control after extraction. A small piece of collagen membrane was used on the superior surface of the socket after the placement of the medicament in Group A and Group B. The postoperative pain scores were evaluated at 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Ninety patients requiring mandibular molar teeth extraction were enrolled as the study participants. Forty-two patients (55.26%) were male and 34 (44.73%) were female. Tetracycline alone and tetracycline + gelatin sponge group shows no statistical significant difference in reducing postoperative pain after 7 days, but the pain score values were less in Tetracycline + gelatin sponge group. The comparison between tetracycline alone and control group showed no significant difference observed between the groups at 24 h but showed statistically significant difference between the groups after 48 h and 7 days, whereas comparison between tetracycline + gelatin sponge and control group showed statistically significant difference between the groups after 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days (P = 0.009, 0.001, and 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSION: Tetracycline and gelatin sponge intrasocket placement provides a good substitute to the prolong use of analgesics and as a good adjuvant in reducing pain in the first few days after routine dental extraction.