Evaluation and comparison of anti-inflammatory properties of ibuprofen using two drug delivery systems after third molar surgery: using chitosan microspheres as a carrier for local drug delivery in to the third molar socket and through the oral route.

We undertook this study to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of ibuprofen when administered through two drug delivery systems after mandibular third molar surgery. The study was conducted on 100 patients who required the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars under local anaesthesia. The study subjects were divided into two groups of 50 patients each. Patients in the study group were given ibuprofen-incorporated chitosan-based microspheres, which were packed into the third molar sockets after removal of impacted teeth. Patients in the control group were prescribed with ibuprofen 400mg tablets that were to be administered orally after the removal of impacted mandibular third molars. All patients were assessed for pain, swelling, and trismus on the second, fourth, and seventh postoperative days, and wound healing was assessed on the seventh postoperative day. Patients in the study group had significantly less pain and comparatively better mouth opening on the second, fourth, and seventh postoperative days, which showed clinically and statistically significant results of p<0.05, respectively, while the assessment of swelling for the study group did not show statistically significant results on any of the three postoperative days. Among 50 patients in the study group, two had wound gaping, and among 50 patients in the control group, four presented with wound gaping and three patients developed dry socket. Ibuprofen-incorporated chitosan-based microspheres (study group) had comparatively better analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties with drastic reduction of pain, swelling, trismus, and also had a reliable wound healing property when compared with the orally-administered ibuprofen (control group) after mandibular third molar surgery.