Abstract
Background and aims. The surgical removal of the lower third molars is a procedure generally followed by side effects
such as postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of socket irrigation with an anesthetic
solution in relieving pain following impacted third molar surgery.
Materials and methods. Thirty-four patients (17 males and 17 females), aged 18-24 years, with bilateral impacted
lower third molars were selected. Both third molars were extracted in one surgical session. Tooth sockets in each patient
were rinsed randomly either with 4 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride plain (without vasoconstrictor) anesthetic solution
or 4 mL of normal saline, used as control. The patients were instructed not to use analgesics as long as possible, and if
not, they were instructed to use an analgesic, and record the time. Pain severity was assessed using a visual analogue pain
scale (VAPS) at 1-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hour intervals post-operatively. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test and
P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results. Post-operative pain difference between the two groups was statistically significant at 1-, 6-, 12- and 24-hour postoperative
intervals (P <0.05). Post-operative pain increased in both groups to a maximum 12 hours after surgery with significant
improvements after that.
Conclusion. Based on the results, the irrigation of surgery site with bupivacaine after third molar surgery significantly
reduces post-operative pain.