Objective: To evaluate the incidence and duration of post operative pain and the use of analgesic agents with regard to gender, type of injection, dental procedure performed and the tooth history. Methods: Incidences and durations of post-operative pain and use of analgesic agents were studied in 255 patients, aged 18-42 years, who received routine dental treatment, including amalgam and composite restorations, root canal treatment, root canal filling, posts and extractions. Teeth were anesthetized by either local infiltration (for maxillary teeth) or inferior alveolar nerve block (for mandibular teeth). Information regarding post-operative pain and use of analgesic agents was obtained though the phone, 24 hours after treatment. Results: The overall incidence of post-operative pain was 40.2%, with 36.8% of whom, reported of low level of pain. Of the patients who reported of post-operative pain, 32% used pain-relieving medications as a result. The reported post-operative pain correlated with the type of dental procedure performed: highest after root canal treatment (52.2%, 16.7% of whom, reported of low level of pain) and lowest after restorations (36.1%, 42.4% of whom, reported of low level of pain). Females reported more of post-operative pain as compared to males (52.2% vs. 33.7 respectively, p=0.012). No relation was found between post-operative pain and depth, extension and material of restoration (amalgam or composite); however, analgesic use was more frequent among patients receiving deep restorations (over 3mm.). Conclusions: Post-operative pain following dental treatment is common, especially after root canal treatments and fillings. Analgesic use following operative procedures was relatively low.

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