Ibuprofen May Not Be Enough For Root-Canal Pain July 28, 2004 By Nancy Volkers InteliHealth News Service Ibuprofen alone may not relieve discomfort after root-canal treatment. INTELIHEALTH - A group of endodontists (dentists who specialize in root-canal treatment) from Washington, D.C. studied 57 people who came to a Texas university dental clinic needing root-canal treatment. The 57 patients were divided into three groups: one received 600 milligrams of ibuprofen after the procedure; one group received 600 milligrams of ibuprofen and 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen, and one received inactive (placebo) pills. Each person rated his or her discomfort after the procedure but before receiving medication, and also rated their pain relief for eight hours following the procedure. The ibuprofen/acetaminophen group had significantly more pain relief, compared with the ibuprofen-only and placebo groups. The ibuprofen-only group did not fare any better than the placebo group in terms of pain relief. All 57 patients received a pulpectomy, a procedure in which the center of the infected tooth (called the pulp), which contains nerves and blood vessels, is removed. This procedure is what most people refer to as a "root canal". Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and other brand names; also sold as a generic) has anti-inflammatory effects and acts as a pain reliever and fever reducer, while acetaminophen (Tylenol and other brand names; also sold as a generic) relieves pain and reduces fever but has no anti-inflammatory effects. Other studies have found that 400 miligrams of ibuprofen alone works better than 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen or aspirin alone, but this study did not include a group receiving only acetaminophen. This study appeared in the July issue of the International Endodontic Journal.