Evaluation of Meloxicam (A Cox-2 Inhibitor) for Management of Postoperative Endodontic Pain: A Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study

Successful management of endodontic pain represents a continuing challenge. The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial was to compare the pain reducing effect of oral preparations of meloxicam, piroxicam, and placebo in endodontic emergency patients. A total of 51 patients who presented to the Tehran University endodontic clinic and one private dental clinic were invited to participate. Patients were asked to evaluate their pretreatment pain with a visual-analog scale. After root canal therapy they were randomly assigned to one of three groups: meloxicam, piroxicam, or placebo. Each patient was sent home with a visual-analog scale to fill out at 8 and 24 h after completion of therapy. The results of this study showed no significant differences between efficacy of meloxicam, piroxicam, and placebo, but a significant effect of the time factor in reducing postoperative pain in all treatment groups was observed.