A procedure of the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars is the most frequently performed procedure by dentists. Simultaneously, it causes the most fear and anxiety for patients. Patients are afraid of intraoperative pain and complications that may occur following the procedure. Despite the development of surgical methods and pharmacology, pain remains an unsolved issue. Gabapentin has been used as a coanalgesic in surgery for many years, however, there is no research indicating the use of gabapentin for dental pain. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of gabapentin in relieving pain after dental surgery and its impact on the patients' intake of painkillers.
Materials and methods:The study included 47 patients who underwent surgical extraction of impacted third molars at the Specialist Dental Center A.H. Frelich in Żory Poland. Patients were divided into two groups, a study group and a control group, to which they were randomly assigned. Randomization was done by flipping a coin. The study group in which the patients received gabapentin an hour before the procedure and the control group in which patients did not take gabapentin. After surgery, patients took paracetamol and diclofenac as needed. The pain level was assessed with the help of the NRS scale at 0.5, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours after the procedure.Results: There was no significant difference noted in the pain intensity in the compared groups. There was also no difference in the number of painkillers taken by the patients in the study and control groups. There were statistically significant differences in the average pain intensity in the analyzed time intervals and the associated lower demand for painkillers in the 0.5-2h time interval.
Conclusion:A single dose of gabapentin before the procedure does not reduce pain or the need for analgesics in patients undergoing extraction of lower third molars.