Objectives: To compare the effect of %5 Benzocaine and Keptoprofen in reduction of pain after activation of fixed orthodontic appliances.
Methods: In this double-blind controlled randomized clinical trial, 20 patients with age range of 15-25 years old were randomly selected to meet the study criteria.These patients had 018x025 archwires and in the phase of upper anterior retraction.They were assessed in cross-over design receiving one of the three gels of Benzocaine,160mg/ml Keptoprofen and placebo gel in each treatment visit randomly. They were instructed to use the gels and record their pain perception at times of 2 hours(h),6h,24h,2 days,3 days and 7 days using visual analogue scale.The data were subjected to Kruskal-wallis and Dunnett post hoc tests.
Results: The highest pain scores were observed in control group(1.15 +0.81) and the lowest scores were recorded in Keptoprofen group(0.68+0.34); while patients using Benzocaine experienced the intermediate values(0.89+0.41).The pain scores were significantly different in the use of Keptoprofen and control gels(P<0.005).Keptoprofen and Benzocaine gels significantly differed at 24 hours time only(0.05).For all three gels,significant differences were found in pain scores in terms of recording time(all:P<0.0001).
Conclusion: Keptoprofen gel was more effective in pain relief than Benzocaine and control gel. Also, the highest scores of pain were observed after 2hours which reduced afterwards and reached the lowest values on 7th day after activation of fixed orthodontic appliances.