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The efficacy of analgesics in controlling orthodontic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cheng C, Xie T, Wang J

BMC oral health, 2020

587 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients who had gone through orthodontic treatment experienced pain and discomfort which could be the highest-ranking reason for treatment disturbance or early termination. Thus, this review aimed to assess the efficacy of analgesics on the relief of pain in orthodontic treatment.

METHODS: A computerized literature search was conducted in the databases of EMBASE (via OVID, 1974 to 2019 Week 50), MEDLINE (via OVID, 1946 to Dec 2019), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (December 2019). The Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.3 software was applied in the present study. And methodological quality was evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

RESULTS: We identified twelve publications including 587 patients in 19 randomized controlled trials. The results showed that the mean difference of naproxen in visual analogue scale (VAS) were - 1.45 (95% CI -2.72, - 0.19; P = .02), - 2.11 (95% CI -3.96, - 0.26; P = .03) and - 1.90 (95% CI -3.33, - 0.47; P = .009) in 2 h, 6 h and 24 h respectively. As for ibuprofen, the standard mean differences were - 1.10 (95% CI -1.49, - 0.71), - 1.63(95% CI -2.32, - 0.95) and - 1.34 (95% CI -2.12, - 0.55) at 2 h, 6 h, and 24 h, with the overall P values all < 0.001. The mean difference of acetaminophen is - 0.68, - 1.34, - 1.91 at three time points and the overall P values all < 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that the use of analgesics is effective for patients in controlling orthodontic…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 587 participants or records.

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