The effect of sulfonamides on pain and swelling following removal of ectopic third molars.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out to study the value of cones containing sulfanilamide and sulfathiazole in the healing of third molar sockets. On the seventh postoperative day, 94 patients were examined regarding pain, swelling and the overall effect of the operation. Trials were run to compare sulfa cones directly with a placebo: in addition, the placebo and sulfa drugs were each compared with the effects of no medication. Pairs were made of the left and right mandibular third molars in the same patient and the results assessed by sequential analysis. It was found that although sulfa cones were better than the placebo, they themselves were no better or worse than leaving the socket alone.