What's new in... the management of post-operative pain in dentistry.

Post-operative pain is a common occurrence within dentistry. The causative factors are not solely dependent on the procedure but a part is also played by the patient's ability to self-cope as well as their level of anxiety. This article discusses the effectiveness of analgesia available for prescription by general dental practitioners based on systematic reviews in the literature, with particular reference to third molar removal. In addition, other methods that can help reduce pain in the post-operative period are addressed, including the types of local anaesthetic used for the procedure and psychological aspects of patient care. The main aim is to update and aid dentists' decision making processes in choosing ways to lessen the pain experienced by patients following dental procedures.