Pain therapy is the use of medications, procedures, and other therapies to relieve pain. It is an important part of dental care, as pain can be a major factor in preventing patients from seeking treatment.
There are many different pain therapies available, and the best approach for each patient will vary depending on the cause of the pain, the severity of the pain, and the patient’s individual preferences. Some common pain therapies used in dentistry include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Prescription pain relievers, such as opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Local anesthetics, which are injected into the area around the teeth to numb the pain
- Topical anesthetics, which are applied to the skin to numb the pain
- Nerve blocks, which are injections of local anesthetics that block the nerves that transmit pain signals
- Surgery, which may be necessary to remove a source of pain, such as an infected tooth or a wisdom tooth that is impacted
