title: Role of Prophylactic Antibiotics in the Management of Postoperative Endodontic Pain.
abstract: To investigate the efficacy of using antibiotics in post endodontic treatment as a method to alleviate post-treatment pain.
  
  
  
  After completion of endodontic treatment 129 patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (65 patients) received Ibuprofen 400 mg one tablet before procedure and one tablet every 8 hours for the first day, then one tablet once indicated by pain. Group B (64 patients) received the same regimen as group A in addition to amoxicillin, clavulanic acid tablets (one tablet before the procedure, and then one tablet twice daily for a total of 3 days). Intensity of pain at 8 hours interval using visual analog scale (VAS) and total number of Ibuprofen tablets used was recorded by patients.
  
  
  
  Peak postoperative pain occurred at 16 hours post-treatment in both groups, there was a significant difference in the pain scale between the two groups in favor for group B over group A (3.8 vs 2.1 respectively). Pain scale was significantly lower in group B at 24, 32, 40, and 48 hours post-treatment with a p-value of < 0.05. The pain scale at 56, 64 and 72 hours were also less in group B, although could not show up as statistical difference. Patients in group A used statistically significant more Ibuprofen than patients in group B (486 vs 402).
  
  
  
  Antibiotic prescription to manage post endodontic treatment pain results in less pain with less consumption of Ibuprofens.
  
  
  
  Pain management in endodontics is a real challenge, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are used effectively in many patients to alleviate post endodontic pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have adverse reactions or may be contraindicated. Short-term use of antibiotics to alleviate pain can be of clinical benefits in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor Department of Conservative Dentistry, University of Jordan PO Box 830453, Amman, Jordan, Phone: 009626797728100 e-mail: alsomadi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alsomadi
authors.affiliation: Department Conservative Dentistry, Royal Medical Services Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Riyad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Al Habahbeh
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004708:Endodontics; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: Antibiotics; Endodontic treatment; Pain; Randomized clinical trial