Ibuprofen for postoperative pain in single-visit root canal treatment

Ibuprofen sustained release used before single-visit root canal therapy enhances anaesthetic success and mitigates postoperative pain.

To determine the impact of sustained release (SR) formulation of Ibuprofen on the effectiveness of buccal infiltration (BI) anaesthesia and pain relief after root canal treatment.

Sixty patients who were diagnosed with apical periodontitis and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in mandibular molars were assigned into two groups. The SR group received 800 mg of Ibuprofen sustained release orally, while the PL group received a placebo capsule an hour before the administration of 3.6 mL Articaine buccal infiltration. Pain levels were assessed via the modified visual analogue scale (VAS) intraoperatively and at 6 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours.

Group SR demonstrated a markedly higher anaesthetic success rate (73.3%) compared to Group PL (46.7%). Patients in group SR also reported significantly lower pain levels during and after the procedure compared to those in group PL. Pre-treatment with Ibuprofen SR notably reduced postoperative pain and enhanced the effectiveness of buccal infiltration in molars at 6 and 48 hours post-treatment.

Premedication with Ibuprofen SR enhances the efficacy of primary buccal infiltration anaesthesia in mandibular molars afflicted with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, resulting in enhanced anaesthetic success and reduced postoperative pain at specified intervals.