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Twin Block, Pain Medications and Third Molar Extractions
NCT04880707 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Each year, over 3.5 million, mostly, healthy young adults, have their third molar teeth ('wisdom teeth') removed under sedation and are often given opioid prescriptions for managing their pain. Wisdom molar removal is one of the most common reasons for opioid prescriptions to be given to adolescents. There is a national thrust to reduce both the dose and the duration of such opioid prescriptions because even short-term opioid exposures increase risk for narcotic addiction and misuse. Non-opioid options to manage pain will still allow for sufficient pain control without risking addiction, and hence, a fundamental component of our response to combat the current national opioid crisis. The investigators are going to study a promising option- the Twin Block dental anesthetic injection. The Twin block involves injecting the standard dental numbing medication in a way that 'numbs' the 'jaw-clencher' muscles on the side of the face. The investigators found that the Twin block relieved jaw pain stemming from these muscles, in a quick and sustained manner, even in patients whose pain following wisdom tooth removal primarily came from 'taut' and tender jaw-clencher muscles. However, what is not known is- how often do patients who have their wisdom teeth removed under sedation, end up in significant pain from taut and tender jaw-clencher muscles? Will using the twin block effectively reduce pain in such patients? In this pilot study, the investigators will examine wisdom molar extraction patients one day after their procedure. Those with significant pain (pain rated ≥ 5 on a 0-10 scale) in their jaw-clencher muscles, will get either the Twin block injection or a placebo. The investigators will track both 1) pain before and after the injection, and 2) pain medication usage over a 7-day period to see if both pain and opioid dosage come down with the Twin block. This study can support a simple, safe and inexpensive means to reduce pain after a common procedure.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Twin block local anesthetic nerve block using standard dental anesthetic
- OTHER Twin block with placebo
Study Locations (1)
New Jersey
- Rutgers School of Dental Medicine — Newark
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 48 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-03-11 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-08 |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04880707
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04880707 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as Phase 2, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 48 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, which has 603 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Acute Pain appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Twin block local anesthetic nerve block using standard dental anesthetic is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT04880707 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include New Jersey. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04880707 about?
NCT04880707 is a clinical study titled "Twin Block, Pain Medications and Third Molar Extractions". Each year, over 3.5 million, mostly, healthy young adults, have their third molar teeth ('wisdom teeth') removed under sedation and are often given opioid prescriptions for managing their pain. Wisdom molar removal is one of the most common reasons for opioid prescriptions to be given to adolescents...
What is the current status of trial NCT04880707?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a Phase 2 study. The enrollment target is 48 participants. The study started on 2024-03-11. Estimated completion is 2026-08.
What conditions does trial NCT04880707 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Acute Pain. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04880707?
The interventions under investigation include: Twin block local anesthetic nerve block using standard dental anesthetic (DRUG), Twin block with placebo (OTHER). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04880707?
This trial is sponsored by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, which has 603 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04880707 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across New Jersey. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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