Algesia and Analgesia in Pediatric Dentistry

Aim: To summarize the basic and current concepts of algesia and analgesia in pediatric dental practice by a thorough systematic literature research of databases. Background: Electronic databases were used to conduct a computerized search like MEDLINE, Pub Med, Scopus and Evidence-based Medicine reviews using the terms ‘‘analgesics,’’ “drugs for pain,” “pain in children,” and “dental pain management”. Review results: Effective management of pain in children is a major priority for patients, parents, and health-care providers. Analgesics, class of drugs which helps to relieve pain, act either on peripheral nerve endings or in the central nervous system. Dental practitioners’ knowledge to prescribe the most effective drug and appropriate dose to alleviate pain is necessary. Conclusion: A pain management strategy in pediatric dentistry includes the ‘3-D’ approach that provides a systematic way of evaluating and managing the acute dental pain patient using combined non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies. Clinical significance: Thorough knowledge about the drugs and its combination can result in achieving required postoperative analgesia thereby reducing adverse effects in children