Evaluation of cyclobenzaprine sedative effects in third molar surgeries: pilot study

Abstract

Background: Patients with anxiety require the use of special methods to enable dental treatment, in order to minimize the stress of the professional in relation to the patient, besides making the procedure more comfortable. The aim this research was evaluate of the sedative effectiveness of the muscle relaxant, Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 10mg in patients submitted to removals of third molars. Material and methods: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 10 patients was conducted. Participants received 10mg of Cyclobenzaprine or placebo given the night before and 1 hour before surgery. The split-mouth method was used, and for each patient two third molars were removed, in two different surgical times. Anxiety was evaluated subjectively through scales. Results: Patients presented scores that showed low dental anxiety and slightly reduced pressure variables. The Verbal Anxiety Scale presented lower values for cyclobenzaprine (1.20 ± 0.92) compared to placebo (1.30 ± 1.06), suggesting a reduction in anxiety level. The Visual Analogue Scale did not present reduced values for cyclobenzaprine (3.51 ± 2.38) compared to placebo (3.20 ± 2.36) or baseline (3.42 ± 2.35). The Spielberger Inventory presented higher results for cyclobenzaprine (40.5) when compared with placebo (39.00). The Trieger Test showed higher results and longer execution time when patients took cyclobenzaprine, suggesting a greater cognitive alteration when submitted to sedation by muscle relaxant. However, there was no statistically significant dif ference between the analyzed variables. Conclusions: The use of Cyclobenzaprine was not effective in the control of anxiety in patients submitted to third molar extraction.