Assessing pain and analgesic consumption after the use of Kinesio tape in web strip technique comparing with cryotherapy after impacted third figmolar extraction: a randomized clinical split-mouth study

Background and objectivesThere are various methods to improve the patient's quality of life and alleviate complications after surgical extraction of the lower third molar. The use of Kinesiotape is one of the most important methods used recently. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Kinesiotape in alleviating complications after surgical extraction of the lower third molar compared to cryotherapy.MethodsThe study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical study according to the split-mouth technique and included 25 patients who had radially symmetrical lower third molars. The patients were divided randomly into two groups, and Kinesiotape (KT) using the Web-strip technique was applied in the study group (KT), while cold packs were applied in the control group Non-Kinesiotape (N-KT). The studied variables were pain, and analgesic pills consumption. These measurements were evaluated in the first five days after surgery using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the number of consumed analgesic pills.ResultsThe pain index value in the KT group was (60.4 +/- 19.8) on the first day, and (60.4 +/- 17.8) in the N-KT group. The number of analgesic pills consumed in the KT group was (3.3 +/- 1.3) on the first day, and (3.4 +/- 1.3) in the N-KT group. No significant statistical difference was found in pain scores according to the VAS index and the number of consumed analgesic pills between the two groups.ConclusionThe current study concluded that pain and analgesic pills consumed were similar between the two study groups, without one being superior to the other.