A prospective cross-over clinical study to compare the effect of locally (Mouthwash) or systemically (Tablets) delivered diclofenac sodium after periodontal surgery: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Local drug delivery is well known for its advantages over systemic drug therapy. Among nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diclofenac is most commonly used analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. Its mouthwash preparation has gained attention; however, there has not been any cross-over study reported in literature. Methods: Ten patients, indicated for periodontal surgeries, randomly received diclofenac mouthwash for 1 min, twice daily for 4 days, or diclofenac tablet twice daily for 4 days. After at least 15 days, second surgery was performed and mode of therapy was switched. The patient was asked to score Numeric Rating Scale index either personally or telephonically for those 4 days. Collected data were tabulated and analyzed. Results: When unpaired t-test was used for intergroup comparison (mouthwash group and tablet Group) at 95% confidence interval, it showed P = 0.0852 considered not statistically significant. That means pain reduction in mouthwash group is as equal as tablet group. Conclusion: The effect of locally administered diclofenac sodium mouthwash is equivalent to systemically delivered diclofenac sodium tablets. Hence, it can be stated that topical formulation is sufficiently effective for pain relief after periodontal surgical procedures without subjecting the patients to systemic side effects.

Keywords

• Diclofenac sodium mouthwash
• inflammation
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Numeric Rating Scale index
• pain perception
• periodontal surgery