Journal of dentistry
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Pain following removal of impacted third molar teeth has proven to be a useful clinical model for evaluating oral analgesics. Moreover, as the underlying pathophysiology becomes elucidated the model serves as a tool for monitoring the relative contributions of different pain events, including peripheral and central sensitization. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) demonstrate high potency in this model, reflecting the large contribution that peripheral prostaglandins may make to the pathophysiology of postoperative pain. ⋯ Such enhanced activity is also demonstrated by higher doses of certain NSAIDs, e.g. ketoprofen 100 mg. This may reflect the existence of complimentary analgesic activities within a single therapeutic agent. As a clinical research tool the dental pain model has several attributes which suggest that it will continue to be of value in identifying potentially improved analgesic strategies for postoperative pain.