The outcomes of a recent study suggested that in patients having symptomatic teeth with apical periodontitis, Ibuprofen can effectively treat postoperative pain when given systemically. Controlling preoperative and postoperative discomfort is one of the goals of endodontic treatment. The current study assessed how Ibuprofen, both locally (intracanal dressing)  and systemically (oral), impacted postoperative pain.

Researchers explored the most efficient way to treat postoperative pain as a result of chemomechanical pretreatment. In total, 90 symptomatic apical periodontitis patients (n = 30 each) were randomly allocated to the local Ibuprofen, systemic Ibuprofen, and control groups. ProTaper Universal Ni-Ti rotary files were used to execute chemomechanical preparations under irrigation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) 17% and sodium hypochlorite 2.5%.

The paste of Odontocide was inserted into root canals of volunteers in local Ibuprofen group, and paste of calcium hydroxide was inserted into root canals of volunteers in systemic Ibuprofen and control groups after the root canals had been dried with sterile paper points. Volunteers in the systemic Ibuprofen group were given prescriptions for 200 mg of Ibuprofen once the endodontic procedure was finished. Statistical analysis was done with the aid of Friedman and Wilcoxon tests.

Utilizing visual analogue scale (VAS), post-therapy pain scores were measured at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. The systemic group (Ultracal+200 mg Ibuprofen) had much lower pain scores than the local Ibuprofen group (Odontocide) or the control group (Ultracal), despite the fact that there was no statistically significant difference between them. Therefore, systemic administration of Ibuprofen seems to be valuable for the management of postoperative dental pain.