Falci S G, Fernandes I A, Guimarães M T, Galvão E L, de Souza G M, Al-Moraissi E A. Complementary and alternative therapies for managing postoperative pain after lower third molar surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig 2024; 28: 231.

Alternative and complementary therapies may be useful in reducing postoperative pain.

This study evaluated the impact of complementary and alternative treatments on postoperative pain following lower third molar (LTM) surgeries. A comprehensive search of key electronic databases was carried out and randomised clinical trials investigating the effect of acupuncture, ozone therapy, laser (LLLT), drainage tube, kinesio-taping, ice therapy, and compressions on pain after LTM surgeries were included. Eighty-two papers were included in the qualitative analysis; 33 of them were included in the quantitative analyses. Drainage tubes and kinesio-taping were superior in controlling pain 24 hours postoperatively than no treatment. At 48-hour follow-up, kinesio-taping and LLLT were more effective than placebo and drainage tubes; and kinesio-taping and LLLT were superior to no treatment. At 72 hours postoperatively, ozone therapy was superior to placebo; and drainage tube, kinesio-taping, and LLLT were better than no treatment. At 7-day follow-up, ozone and LLLT were superior to placebo; and LLLT and kinesio-taping were superior to no treatment.