Effect of preoperative ibuprofen on the success of the inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with irreversible pulpitis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine the effect of the administration of preoperative ibuprofen on the success of the inferior alveolar nerve block (IAN) in patients with irreversible pulpitis.

METHODS: One hundred endodontic emergency patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis of a mandibular posterior tooth randomly received, in a double-blind manner, identical capsules of either 800 mg ibuprofen or placebo 45 minutes before the administration of a conventional IAN block. Access was begun 15 minutes after completion of the IAN block, and all patients had profound lip numbness. Success was defined as no or mild pain (visual analogue scale recordings) on access or initial instrumentation.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The success rate for the IAN block was 41% with ibuprofen and 35% with placebo, with no significant difference (P=.57) between the 2 groups. For mandibular posterior teeth, a dose of 800 mg of ibuprofen given 45 minutes before the administration of the IAN block did not result in a statistically significant increase in anesthetic success in patients with irreversible pulpitis.