To study the efficacy of preemptive analgesia in single dental implant surgeries and find which among four analgesic agents - Etoricoxib (ETOR), Ibuprofen (IBU), Nimesulide (NIME), and Acetaminophen (ACETA) is effective for mitigating postoperative pain and decreasing the need for rescue medication.

Overall, 135 participants [mean age of 57.6 years (±11.7)] participated in this randomized controlled clinical trial. They were randomly allocated into five groups based on the administered drug: I-PLACEBO; II-IBU (dosed at 600 mg); III-NIME (dosed at 100 mg); IV-ACETA (dosed at 750 mg); and V-ETOR (dosed at 90 mg). Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and ANOVA were used to assess pain (occurrence, duration, and severity), along with generalized estimating equation models as needed.

These therapeutic agents delivered a decrease in postoperative pain scores and illustrated a lesser need for rescue medication than with placebo. The ETOR group displayed significantly lower pain scores when contrasted with the other active treatment groups. Conversely, the IBU group had the highest average number of rescue medications consumed.

All of the therapies under consideration illustrated a beneficial preemptive effect, evidenced by the reduction in postoperative pain and diminished use of rescue therapies.