The Use of Ibuprofen in the Treatment of Postoperative Pain in Dentistry

Postoperative pain is common complication after daily dental care. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among most widely prescribed analgesics for management of postoperative pain. The analgesic effect of a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) is related to its ability to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Ibuprofen (2-proprionic acid derivate) was discovered in the 1960s as a representative of NSAIDs. It is a peripherally acting analgesic with a potent anti-inflammatory action. An extensive retrospective analysis of randomized clinical trials conducted over the last 40 years demonstrated that ibuprofen is effective in moderate to severe postoperative pain for different indications in dentistry. In comparison to other NSAIDs, ibuprofen is characterized by its efficiency, safety and good tolerance. The aim of this article was to present the most important pharmacological and therapeutic characteristics and side effects of ibuprofen used for postoperative pain treatment in dentistry.