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.