Analgesic Efficacy of Bromelain and Bromelain Plus Turmeric for Pain Control After Orthodontic Separator Placement: A Triple‐Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of Bromelain, Ibuprofen, and Bromelain plus turmeric for pain control after orthodontic separator placement. Material and Methods This triple‐blind randomized clinical trial included 135 patients over the age of 15 who required orthodontic treatment. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups: 400 mg Ibuprofen (Group A), 200 mg Bromelain (ANAHEAL; Group B), and 150 mg Bromelain + 300 mg Turmeric (ANAHEAL PLUS; Group C). The patients took one tablet immediately after the separator was placed. Four separators were placed at the mesial and distal regions of both maxillary first molars. The degree of pain and discomfort was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) at the following time points: Immediately after the separator placement (T0), 2 h posttreatment (T1), 6 h posttreatment (T2), 24 h posttreatment (T3), and 48 h after separator placement (T4). The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 15.0). Different statistical tests including ANOVA, Tukey's test, and paired t‐test were utilized. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Pain scores at 2 h (T1) and 6 h (T2) after separator placement differed significantly among the three groups (p = 0.006 and p = 0.025, respectively), with the Ibuprofen group experiencing significantly higher pain levels than the Bromelain and Bromelain Plus Turmeric groups. At 48 h (T4), a significant difference was observed only in chewing function (p = 0.024), where patients in the Bromelain group reported higher pain scores than those in the Ibuprofen group. Sex had no significant effect on pain perception (P < 0.05). Conclusions Bromelain with or without turmeric might be a useful alternative to Ibuprofen for pain control following orthodontic separator placement.

Keywords

• Bromelains
• curcumin
• Ibuprofen
• orthodontics, corrective
• pain management