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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07370870

Is Cryotherapy Beneficial After Surgical Removal of Impacted Lower Third Molars?

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative parameters (pain intensity, edema, trismus, and the quality of life) after lower third molar extraction. Patients underwent bilateral extraction of mandibular third molars in a single surgical procedure. Cryotherapy was applied to one side using facial ice packs, while no cryotherapy was performed on the contralateral side. Surgical procedures, postoperative instructions, and prescribed medications were identical for both sides. Consequently, the side treated with ice packs exhibited lower pain intensity, shorter pain duration, and reduced use of rescue medication.

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Key information

Conditions

Cold Therapy

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Indication for bilateral surgical removal of mandibular third molars in similar positions
  • Absence of systemic comorbidities
  • Absence of local inflammatory processes
  • Absence of local infectious processes
  • No history of allergy to the prescribed medications
  • No chronic use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and/or analgesics

Exclusion criteria

  • Use of medications other than those prescribed by the surgeon
  • Failure to provide the required data

Treatment and study plan

Cold Therapy

Other

Postoperative cold therapy applied with ice packs

Primary outcomes

  1. Effects of cryotherapy on postoperative pain intensity after lower third molar extraction - using a visual analog scale.

    Time frame: 7 days

    Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative pain intensity following lower third molar extraction using a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. Pain intensity was recorded daily by the participants over a 7-day postoperative period.

  2. Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative edema after lower third molar extraction - using the mean of three linear facial measurements

    Time frame: 7 days

    Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative edema following lower third molar extraction using three linear facial measurements: tragus to pogonion, tragus to oral commissure, and lateral canthus to the mandibular angle. Measurements were recorded in millimeters, and the mean of the three values was calculated to quantify edema. Assessments were performed preoperatively and postoperatively on the second and seventh days.

  3. Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative trismus after lower third molar extraction - measuring maximum mouth opening

    Time frame: 7 days

    Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative trismus following lower third molar extraction by measuring maximum mouth opening. Patients were seated with the tragus-ala plane parallel to the ground. Measurements were obtained using a measuring tape and recorded in millimeters. Assessments were performed on postoperative days 0, 2, and 7.

  4. Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative quality of life after lower third molar extraction - using a questionnaire adapted from the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14)

    Time frame: 7 days

    Evaluate the effects of cryotherapy on postoperative quality of life following lower third molar extraction using a questionnaire adapted from the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), consisting of 14 dichotomous (yes/no) questions addressing daily functional limitations. The questionnaire was administered on the day of surgery and completed by participants on postoperative days 0, 2, and 7.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Henrique Tedesco

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Is Cryotherapy Beneficial After Surgical Removal of Impacted Lower Third Molars? - A Randomized Split Mouth Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jan 27, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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