Comparison of the Effects of Naproxen and Novafen on Pain, Swelling, and Quality of Life after Impacted Mandibular Third Molars Surgery

Due to their satisfactory analgesic properties and minor side effects, prescribing medications such as Naproxen and Novafen, has long been an area of clinical research. This study aimed to compare the effect of Naproxen and Novafen on postoperative pain, swelling, and quality of life in patients undergoing mandibular third molar surgery. This double-blind randomized clinical trial included all healthy adults within the age range of 18-30 years old referred to a dental clinic in Ilam, Iran in need of third molar surgery. Patients had unerupted mesioangular third molars in the mandible. Participants were randomly allocated to two equal groups, receiving either Naproxen or Novafen postoperatively. Patients were evaluated one, three and seven days, postoperatively in terms of pain, swelling and quality of life. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, T-test, and ANOVA. P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 102 consecutive patients took part in this study, including 51 females and 51 males with a mean age of 24.77 ± 4.03 years. On the first day after surgery, there was no significant difference regarding pain intensity between the two groups (P=0.064). There was a significantly greater reduction in pain intensity values in the Naproxen group compared to the Novafen group (P<0.001). On the third and seventh days postoperatively, pain intensity reduced significantly in the Naproxen group (P=0.003). In both Naproxen and Novafen analgesia groups, the degree of swelling on the seventh day was significantly less compared to the first and third days (P<0.05). Novafen showed less reduction in swelling in comparison to Naproxen. According to the obtained results, Naproxen is able to induce a greater reduction in postoperative pain and swelling compared to Novafen, and could therefore be used as a cost-effective and relatively safe medication for pain management after third molar surgery.