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Short-term NSAID use effectively reduces postoperative pain and swelling, improves patient satisfaction, and does not negatively impact osseointegration after dental implant surgery.
A new systematic review offers reassuring evidence that short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can successfully manage pain and swelling following dental implant surgery—without compromising implant success. Researchers carried out a rigorous review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the clinical effectiveness and biological safety of NSAIDs given for 7 days or less after dental implant placement. The comprehensive literature search across 8 major databases, followed PRISMA guidelines, and focused solely on RCTs.
In total, 10 eligible studies were included, testing a range of commonly used NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, piroxicam, lornoxicam, dexketoprofen, and diclofenac. Overall, NSAID use induced a notable decrease in postoperative pain, decreased reliance on rescue medications, and greater patient satisfaction when compared to placebo. Several trials also reported diminished postoperative swelling.
Importantly, no short-term adverse effects were found on osseointegration—the critical process where implants fuse with the jawbone—or on marginal bone loss, suggesting NSAIDs do not hinder healing. The review employed GRADE and OCEMB tools to assess study quality. Notably, 3 trials were deemed low risk of bias, 4 raised some concerns, and 3 were marked high risk owing to issues such as lack of blinding or unclear randomization procedures.
Despite these promising results, the researchers noted considerable variation in study design, protocols, and outcome measures across the trials, making it cumbersome to perform a pooled meta-analysis. As a result, the authors call for more high-quality, standardized RCTs to solidify clinical guidelines for NSAID use in dental implant patients. In summary, short-term NSAID therapy appears to be both safe and efficient in controlling postoperative symptoms after dental implant placement, offering a practical option for clinicians aiming to boost patient comfort during recovery.
Dental implants
Effectiveness and Safety Profile of Short-Term NSAIDs Protocols in Dental Implantology. A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence
Mario Bueso-Ruiz et al.
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