Alan S. Law, D.D.S., Ph.D. Persistent pain is known to occur in some patients following endodontic treatment. This presentation will discuss the frequency at which persistent pain occurs, potential causes for persistent pain and opportunities for endodontists to participate in a large-scale, practice-based study designed to determine which patient-, tooth-, and treatment-related factors may be associated with persistent pain.

Speaker: Karen Baker, B.S.R.Ph., M.S., Ruth A. Carter, L.P. Donald R. Nixdorf, D.D.S., M.S., Peter Z.. Tawil, D.D.S., M.S., Alfred L. Clavel, M.D New regulations and activities in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have an important influence on pharmacy practice. This session will bring endodontists up to date on their role in helping to curb the problem of prescription drug abuse. Post-treatment or persistent pain, can be disruptive to a practitioner’s schedule and psyche. The ever-changing landscape of pharmaceuticals and regulation make it important for practitioners to keep abreast of options for the most appropriate management of pain.

Speakers: Donald R. Nixdorf, D.D.S., M.S. This lecture reviews current advances in diagnosis and management of non-odontogenic orofacial pain. It will cover the differential diagnosis of orofacial pain, evidence regarding persistent pain following root canal treatment and strategies to address such pain.

Speaker: Kenneth M. Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D. This evidence-based course is designed to provide effective and practical strategies for managing acute dental pain emergencies. The latest information on NSAIDS, acetaminophen-containing analgesics and local anesthetics will be provided with the objective of having immediate application to your next patient emergency. Want to know how to anesthetize that hot tooth? How to predictably manage severe acute pain after surgical or endodontic treatments? How to combine common medications to improve analgesia? This course will answer these practical tips and more using a lecture style that emphasizes interactions with the audience in answering common pain problems with useful solutions.

Author of a 3D Approach: Kenneth M. Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D, This issue outlines an effective strategy for pain management based on diagnosis, treatment and medication. Author of Treatment Planning: Scott L. Doyle, D.D.S., M.S. This issue reviews treatment options for the retention of the natural dentition and the replacement of missing teeth.

Authors:Tanjit Taggar, D.M.D., M.S.,; Di Wu, Ph.D.; Asma A. Khan, B.D.S., Ph.D. Ibuprofen sodium dihydrate, a new formulation of ibuprofen, was introduced with the claim of faster onset of analgesia. Most of the data on this new ibuprofen formulation are drawn from studies using the oral surgery model. Because this model differs significantly from the endodontic pain model, we conducted a study comparing ibuprofen sodium dihydrate with conventional ibuprofen acid in endodontic pain patients.

Authors: Elizabeth A. Smith, D.D.S.; J. Gordon Marshall, D.M.D.; Shelley S. Selph, M.D., M.P.H.; Dale R. Barker, D.D.S.; Christine M. Sedgley, M.D.S., M.D.Sc., Ph.D. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been commonly used to treat endodontic postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to address what is the comparative efficacy of NSAIDS compared with nonnarcotic analgesics or placebo in reducing postoperative pain and the incidence of adverse events.