Mannitol Reduces Pain and Trismus after Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Comparative Study

Authors

  • Muhammad Arham Department of Dental, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Shafiullah khan Department of Dental, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Ashar Waheed Department of Dental, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Ayesha Imran Department of Dental, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Faisal Asif Department of Dental, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Afaq Qureshi Department of Dental, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-10.14045

Keywords:

Mannitol, Postoperative Pain, Swelling, Trismus

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of local 20% W/V Mannitol infiltration with the standard care for minimizing postoperative pain, edema, and trismus after impacted mandibular third molar removal.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of the Study: Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from May 2024 to Jul 2025.

Methodology: Forty subjects who underwent extraction of impacted mandibular third molar were divided into two equal groups, i.e., Mannitol and control group. In group A, apart from standard treatment, 20% w/v Mannitol infiltrated, while in group B, only standard treatment was applied. Pain assessment was done after 6, 24, and 48 hours, while swelling and trismus were recorded before surgery and 48 and 72 hours after surgery.

Results: There was a significant decrease in pain after surgery for Mannitol at 6 hours [6.00 (1.00) versus 9.00 (1.00); p<0.001] and 24 hours [3.00 (1.00) versus 5.00 (0.50); p<0.001] when compared with controls. The amount of swelling was significantly decreased at 48 hours [7.00 (1.00) versus 11.00 (1.00); p<0.001] and 72 hours [5.00 (1.00) versus 6.00 (2.00); p=0.001]. Trismus was also significantly decreased in the Mannitol group at 48 and 72 hours (p<0.001). Within-group analysis showed significant improvements in pain, swelling, and trismus over time in both groups (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Local 20% W/V Mannitol infiltration effectively decreases early postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus after third molar surgery, providing a non-steroidal supplement to postoperative management.

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References

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Published

30-10-2026

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1.
Muhammad Arham, Shafiullah khan, Ashar Waheed, Ayesha Imran, Faisal Asif, Afaq Qureshi. Mannitol Reduces Pain and Trismus after Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Comparative Study. Pak Armed Forces Med J [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 30 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];76(SUPPL-10):S1676-S1681. Available from: https://www.pafmj.org/PAFMJ/article/view/14045