A Holistic Approach to Postendodontic Pain Management: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Pain is a major symptom in dental visits, especially postendodontic procedures. Prevention and treatment are crucial, requiring clinicians to integrate various pain management strategies to promote physical healing, emotional, and psychological well-being, emphasizing the importance of holistic pain management. The purpose of this narrative review was to summarize the importance of holistic pain management strategies after endodontics. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on various databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar, focusing on the holistic approach to endodontic pain management and postendodontic pain management, following the PRISMA 2020 Statement protocols. Although numerous review publications on endodontic pain management have emerged, only three of them have delved into both pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to treating endodontic pain. These studies illustrated the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in lowering the incidence of adverse events and endodontic postoperative pain. Only one study illustrated the effectiveness of behavioral therapies in treating individuals with dental anxiety and phobia. Holistic pain management strategies postendodontic procedures promote physical recovery, emotional wellness, trust, and treatment outcomes, enhancing patient experience and fostering trust in dental settings.

Keywords

• dental anxiety
• endodontics
• nsaids
• odontogenic pain
• pain management