What is the incidence of pain and analgesic use following restorative and surgical procedures in children and adolescents?

This summary is based on the article published in Pediatric Dentistry: Discomfort Following Dental Procedures for Children (January/February 2013)

Nicole M. Staman, DDS • Janice A. Townsend, DDS, MS • Joseph L. Hagan, ScD

Context

• Pain has been undertreated across all age groups due to misunderstandings about analgesic use, concerns over addiction, and the mistaken belief that children do not perceive pain.³
• Although numerous studies evaluating dental pain in adults appear in the dental literature, there are relatively few studies in children.
• Practitioners may not consider pain relief necessary for pediatric patients, as the procedures are routine and not perceived to be painful.

Purpose of the Study

• To evaluate discomfort and the use of analgesic agents after specific routine pediatric dental procedures, including sealants, preventive resin restorations (PRRs), 1- and 2-surface restorations, pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns, and extractions
• To improve prediction and management of pain in children.

Key Findings

• Post-operative discomfort and analgesic use may occur after dental procedures in children.
• Post-operative discomfort in children occurs most commonly after the placement of stainless steel crowns.
• Children do not report post-operative discomfort for primary tooth extractions significantly more often vs the other dental procedures examined, although this may be due to pre-emptive analgesia administered by parents.

References

List of references included in the study (PDF)