Skip to content
Clinical Trials – home

Rare diseases

Investigational molecules

Locations

Our offerNewsroom

Not yet recruiting

Study on Pain Relief After Wisdom Tooth Surgery Using Etoricoxib and Celecoxib for Patients Undergoing Mandibular M3 Removal

Fast replyRegistered drug
Clinical Trials Concierge

Prefer not to search? Our Concierge searches the trials for you.

What is this trial about?

A plain-language summary of the goals, design and what participants do

This clinical trial is focused on studying the effects of two painkillers, etoricoxib and celecoxib, in managing pain after the removal of wisdom teeth, specifically the lower third molars. The removal of these teeth, often referred to as mandibular third molars, can lead to significant discomfort during the recovery period. The purpose of the study is to compare how well these medications can reduce pain following this type of dental surgery.

Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either etoricoxib, celecoxib, or a placebo. The study is designed to be double-masked, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers will know which treatment each participant is receiving, to ensure unbiased results. The trial will observe the effects of these medications over a short period, focusing on their ability to lessen pain and discomfort after the surgery.

The study aims to determine if one of these medications is more effective than the other in reducing postoperative pain. It is anticipated that those receiving etoricoxib may experience a greater reduction in pain compared to those receiving a placebo, based on the known properties of the drug. This research could help improve pain management strategies for patients undergoing wisdom tooth removal in the future.

The research process

The trial runs in 5 steps – from screening to follow-up. Each step says what happens and what the team monitors.

  1. Step 1

    Joining the study

    Upon joining the study, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. Each group receives a different medication to evaluate its effect on pain reduction after the removal of a mandibular third molar (M3M).

  2. Step 2

    Medication administration

    Participants in the first group receive etoricoxib, while those in the second group receive celecoxib. Both medications are taken orally.

    The specific dosage and frequency of administration are determined by the study protocol and are designed to assess the preventive painkiller effect of each medication.

  3. Step 3

    Surgery and postoperative period

    Participants undergo the surgical removal of mandibular third molars, classified according to the Pell & Gregory system. The surgery is performed at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry.

    The postoperative period involves monitoring the pain levels and any discomfort experienced by participants. This is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the medications.

  4. Step 4

    Evaluation of pain reduction

    The primary goal is to assess the reduction in postoperative pain and discomfort. It is anticipated that participants receiving etoricoxib may experience greater pain relief compared to those in the control group.

    The evaluation is based on the pharmacological properties of the medications and is conducted over a specified period following the surgery.

  5. Step 5

    Completion of the study

    The study is estimated to conclude by January 1, 2027. Participants' data will contribute to understanding the effectiveness of the medications in reducing postoperative pain after M3M surgery.

Who can join the trial?

11 criteria

  • Patients must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old.
  • Both male and female patients can participate.
  • Patients should not have any history of **systemic diseases**. This means they should not have diseases that affect the entire body, like diabetes or heart disease.
  • Patients must be outpatients, meaning they visit the clinic for treatment but do not stay overnight.
  • Patients need a valid referral to participate in the study.
  • Patients must belong to the area served by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry of Semmelweis University.
  • Patients should visit during regular clinic hours.
  • The study involves the removal of **mandibular third molars**, which are the lower wisdom teeth.
  • The wisdom teeth should be classified as Class I or Class II and Position A or B, according to the **Pell & Gregory classification system**. This system helps to describe the position and difficulty of removing wisdom teeth.
  • Teeth classified as Class II, Position B are not included because they are more difficult to remove and may take longer to heal.
  • The classification of the wisdom teeth will be done using a special imaging system called **AGFA IMPAX**.

Who cannot join the trial?

4 criteria

  • Patients who have not had their lower wisdom teeth (also known as mandibular M3) removed cannot participate.
  • Patients who are not in the recovery period after having their lower wisdom teeth removed cannot participate.
  • Patients who are under 18 years old cannot participate.
  • Patients who are part of a vulnerable population, meaning they need special protection or care, cannot participate.
Clinical Trials Concierge

Prefer not to search? Our Concierge searches the trials for you.

Tell us about your condition – we search every trial in Europe and connect you with the right site.

We usually reply within a few days

Verified sites

All sites with verified contact details – recruitment status may not be available; ask directly

Trial locations

Where you can join this trial

Countries are shaded by recruitment status. Click a recruiting country to ask about joining there.

Not yet recruiting
Not finding your country?

Not sure what to do next?

Joining a clinical trial can seem overwhelming. We guide you step by step, so you know exactly what to expect and how we support you through the process.

See the full process and FAQ

Investigated drugs

  • Etoricoxib

    is a medication used to relieve pain and inflammation. In this clinical trial, it is being tested for its effectiveness in reducing pain after M3M surgery, which is a type of dental surgery. The goal is to see how well it can prevent pain compared to another painkiller.

  • Celecoxib

    is another pain-relieving medication being studied in this trial. Like etoricoxib, it is used to manage pain and inflammation. The trial aims to compare its ability to reduce pain after M3M surgery with that of etoricoxib, to determine which is more effective for pain prevention in this context.

What is already known about the treatment

  • Etoricoxib

    Etoricoxib is administered orally, typically in tablet form. It is currently used in medicine as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is well-documented in medical literature for its pain-relieving properties. The main therapeutic indication for etoricoxib is the management of pain and inflammation, particularly after surgical procedures such as the removal of mandibular third molars (M3). At the molecular level, etoricoxib works by selectively inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which plays a key role in the production of prostaglandins that cause pain and inflammation. It is classified pharmacologically as a COX-2 selective inhibitor.

  • Celecoxib

    Celecoxib is also administered orally in capsule form. It is widely recognized in the medical field as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is extensively covered in medical literature for its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation. Celecoxib is primarily indicated for the relief of pain following surgical procedures, such as the extraction of mandibular third molars (M3). Its mechanism of action involves the selective inhibition of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, which reduces the formation of prostaglandins responsible for pain and inflammation. Celecoxib is classified as a COX-2 selective inhibitor.

Investigated diseases

Postoperative Period After Mandibular M3 Removal – This condition refers to the phase following the surgical extraction of the third molar, commonly known as the wisdom tooth, from the lower jaw. During this period, patients often experience pain, swelling, and discomfort as the body begins to heal from the surgical procedure. The intensity of these symptoms can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the extraction and the individual's pain threshold. The healing process involves the formation of a blood clot in the socket, which is crucial for proper recovery. Over time, the swelling and pain typically decrease as the tissues repair and the area stabilizes. Proper care and management during this period are essential to ensure a smooth recovery and to minimize complications.
Trial detailsLast updated 2 Oct 2026
Age18+ yearsPhasePhase IIITrial ID2025-520695-26-00Protocol codeCOX2M3MEstimated enrolment75 patientsSponsorSemmelweis University

sourced from the EU Clinical Trials Register and site verification

Want to learn more about this trial or check if you can participate?

Clinical Trials Concierge

Prefer not to search? Our Concierge searches the trials for you.

Tell us about your condition – we search every trial in Europe and connect you with the right site.

ClinicalTrials.eu

Every clinical trial in Europe, in plain language.

Explore the full ecosystem of clinical research in Europe.

Search trials

Legal notice · Published by CTIN POLAND sp. z o.o., ul. rtm. Witolda Pileckiego 67/109, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland · KRS 0001111334 · REGON 528919042 · NIP 9512598637

© 2026 Clinical Trials EU – European Clinical Trials Information Network

GDPR compliance, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified (LL-C Certification)

On this site, “treatment” means an investigational medicine being studied in a clinical trial. Its safety and efficacy for the use being studied have not yet been confirmed, some participants may receive a placebo or a comparator medicine, and taking part does not guarantee any health benefit. The decision to take part is made by the doctor at the research site. This site is for information only and does not replace medical advice.

This service is not affiliated with the European Commission, the EMA, or the official CTIS system. Most information comes from publicly available international clinical-trial registries, supplemented by data from academic sites, national regulators and commercial sponsors. On this site, “treatment” and “therapy” mean a medicine being tested in a clinical trial. Its safety and effectiveness in the use being studied are not yet confirmed, some participants may receive a placebo or a comparator, and taking part does not guarantee a health benefit. The doctor at the research site decides who can take part. This site provides information, not medical advice. Certain content and visual elements on this website have been generated or enhanced using artificial intelligence (AI).