Journal of oral science
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Journal of oral science · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of orally administered ketamine on requirement for anesthetics and postoperative pain in mandibular molar teeth with irreversible pulpitis.
Achieving successful anesthesia and pain control in a predictable, efficient manner is a challenge in the endodontic treatment of vital inflamed lower molars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral ketamine on the dosage of local anesthetics required and postoperative pain management for irreversibly inflamed mandibular molars. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 36 patients with irreversibly inflamed mandibular molars were randomly divided into two groups of 18. ⋯ Furthermore, postoperative pain in the ketamine group was significantly lower (P = 0.019). Also the number of analgesic tablets taken in the ketamine group was significantly lower (P = 0.011). It can be concluded that a low dose of ketamine might be beneficial for enhancing the effect of local anesthetics.