Table 1.
Pharmacologic Recommendations for Post-Operative Dental Pain
| Pain Severity | Therapeutic Intervention |
|---|---|
| Mild | Ibuprofen 200–400 mg q 4–6 hours |
| Mild to Moderate | Ibuprofen 400–600 mg q 6 hours for 24 hours Ibuprofen 400 mg q 4–6 prn pain on POD #1 (after first 24 hours) |
| Moderate to Severe | Ibuprofen 400–600 mg with APAP 500 mg q 6 hours for 24 hours. Ibuprofen 400 mg with APAP 500 mg q 6 hours on POD #1 (after first 24 hours) |
| Severe | Ibuprofen 400–600 mg with APAP 650 mg and Hydrocodone 5 mg q 6 hours for 3 days; then Ibuprofen 400–600 mg with APAP 500 mg q 6 hours on POD #4 (after first 72 hours). |
| If NSAIDs are contraindicated | |
| Mild | APAP 650–1000 mg q 6 hours for pain |
| Moderate | APAP 650–1000 mg with hydrocodone 5 mg q 6 hours for 3 days; then APAP 650–1000 mg q 4–6 hours (after first 72 hours) |
| Severe | APAP 650 mg with hydrocodone 5 mg q 6 hours for 3 days, then APAP 650–1000 mg q 6 hours (after first 72 hours) |