Effect of Intrasocket Application of Manuka Honey on Postsurgical Pain of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars Surgery: Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and Purpose: Sufficient evidence exists recommending the use of honey in the management of wounds. Studies revealed that the healing effect of honey could be classified by its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of its components. Since surgical extraction of impacted molars is one of the most common operations in the oral cavity and the postoperative pain disturbing the patient may reduce the quality of health service, this study aimed to assess the analgesic potential of Manuka honey application into the extraction socket of impacted mandibular third molars.

Methods: This randomized split-mouth controlled study included 33 patients undergoing impacted bilateral lower third molars surgery under local anesthesia ( n  = 66). Randomization was carried out by coin flipping. One of the two impacted third molars was assigned to treatment group (Manuka honey applied just before suturing), other side to control group (nothing applied). Postsurgical pain was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) of faces 7 days after extraction. The total analgesic dose used was also evaluated.

Results: In treatment group, postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower compared to that in control group regarding first and second days postoperatively ( P  < 0.05). Total analgesic intake in the control group was significantly higher ( P  = 0.0001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that intrasocket application of Manuka honey after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molar is an effective method for reducing acute postsurgical pain.